Italy Launches Nationwide Movement Restrictions in Full-Scale Battle to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the cumulative number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Italy approached 10,000, the Italian government issued a nationwide movement restriction order on the 9th (local time) and launched an all-out effort.

According to AP News and others, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced in a press briefing that the movement restriction order would take effect nationwide from the 10th. Conte emphasized, "We are facing a national emergency," and urged, "All citizens should stay at home." This measure came just one day after designating the entire Lombardy region and 14 areas in four northern provinces?Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Piemonte, and Marche?as new 'Red Zones.'

The measure is valid until March 3rd. Accordingly, the nationwide school closure order, which was initially set to last until the 15th of this month, has also been extended until March 3rd. Italian citizens are prohibited from moving from their residential areas to other places except for work, health, or other essential reasons. Additionally, bars, restaurants, and cafes must close in the evenings, and all cultural and public facilities nationwide will be closed.

The Italian government also decided to suspend all sports events, including the professional football league Serie A. Until now, Serie A had continued matches without spectators, but this has now been banned. Conte said, "There is no more time. I have the duty to take action. Our future is in our hands," adding, "All of Italy will become a protected area."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The reason the Italian government took such measures is that they judged that school closures and movement restrictions limited to certain areas were insufficient to curb the spread. As of 6 p.m. that day, Italian health authorities reported that the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide reached 9,172. This represents an increase of about 1,800 cases in one day, surpassing the previous record daily increase of 1,492 cases. The cumulative death toll rose from 366 to 463 within a day.

Globally, Italy has the second-highest number of infections after China (80,904 confirmed cases and 3,123 deaths). As of that day, South Korea had a cumulative total of 7,478 confirmed cases.

Looking at the distribution of cumulative confirmed cases by province, Lombardy, the virus's epicenter, has 5,469 cases; Emilia-Romagna has 1,386; and Veneto has 744, totaling 7,599 cases, which accounts for 82.8% of the total. Other provinces include Piemonte with 350 cases, Marche with 323, Toscana with 208, Campania with 120, Liguria with 109, Lazio with 102, Friuli Venezia Giulia with 93, Sicilia with 54, Puglia with 50, and Umbria with 28.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.