Coronavirus italy extends strict quarantine measures nationwide
Italy has indeed taken drastic measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. On March 9, 2020, the Italian government announced a nationwide lockdown, imposing strict quarantine measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Here are some key details about the measures:
- Travel restrictions: All non-essential travel is banned, including domestic and international travel. Only essential workers, such as healthcare professionals, grocery store employees, and other critical service providers, are allowed to move around.
- Quarantine: All Italians are required to stay at home, except for essential trips to buy food, medicine, or other necessities. People are only allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons, such as:
- To buy food or other essential items
- To go to work if they are an essential worker
- To receive medical care
- To take care of a family member or dependent
- Closure of non-essential businesses: All non-essential businesses, including restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, are closed. Only essential services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks, remain open.
- School closures: All schools, universities, and educational institutions are closed until further notice.
- Public gatherings: All public gatherings, including sports events, concerts, and festivals, are banned.
- Border controls: Italy has also strengthened its border controls, requiring all travelers arriving from abroad to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
These measures are in place until April 3, 2020, but may be extended if necessary. The Italian government is taking a proactive approach to contain the spread of the virus, and these measures are aimed at reducing the transmission rate and protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.
It's worth noting that Italy has been one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus outbreak, with over 15,000 confirmed cases and over 1,000 deaths as of March 10, 2020.