Coronavirus, Conte: “We must armor the outbreak areas, if necessary we will use the army”

“We have adopted a decree to protect the health of Italians, which is the one we care most about and which ranks first in the hierarchy of constitutional values” says Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, repeating several times that Italians “must trust” politics and scientific institutions, which are doing everything possible. The measures mentioned by the Prime Minister currently concern the ten municipalities of the Lodi area identified on Friday, where over 50,000 people live, and the area of ​​Vò Euganeo, in the province of Padua. They will be, to all intents and purposes, red zones: no entry or exit. Not only that: within the outbreak areas “access to essential public services and businesses for the purchase of basic necessities – says the decree – is conditional on the use of personal protective equipment”. And to all those who have had “close contacts with confirmed cases” the “quarantine measure with active surveillance” should be applied.

Law enforcement and army to limit outbreaks – Prohibition of removal and entry into the “hotbed” areas of the virus, which will be manned by the police and, if necessary, also by the military, with criminal sanctions for those who violate the prescriptions. Stop to school trips in Italy and abroad, suspension of all public quarantine events with “active surveillance” for all those who have been in contact with confirmed cases of the virus. These are the focal points of the decree developed by the government.

Fine but also arrest for those who do not respect prohibition – “Failure to comply with the containment measures is punished pursuant to article 650 of the penal code”, which provides for a fine and arrest for up to 3 months. Heavy measures, therefore, which can also be extended to other areas if necessary. “We must also be flexible because it is not said that the measures taken today are useful tomorrow” admitted the Prime Minister.

Possible closure of schools and public offices – And again, closing of schools, shops and museums, stops at competitions, private work activities and public offices, without prejudice to essential services, limitation on the movement of goods and people. The Council of Ministers, at the end of a river meeting at the Civil Protection headquarters, approves a decree with extremely tough measures to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

There will be no suspension of Schengen – “At present there are no measures to ask for and obtain the suspension of the Schengen Treaty and in particular the free movement of people. A draconian measure is currently in place and not commensurate with the health protection needs of Italian citizens”. This was said by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte during the press conference at the end of the CDM in the Civil Protection headquarters. Blocking crossings and the movement of people would be “inadequate and completely ineffective measures”, which would have “a devastating impact on our economy”. “What do we want to make of Italy a lazaretto?” Added Conte, responding indirectly to the opposition forces who have been asking for it for days.

A second decree is coming – “In the next few days we will also intervene with another decree law with measures that are able to make up for the economic impact” of the contagion. Conte said again: “When I say that the government will not leave the populations alone, I say this.”