COVID-19 cases increase in Italy for food curfew and closure of gyms, pools and movie theaters

Italian leader imposed at least one month new ban on Sunday across country to fight Growing coronavirus infection, Closing gyms, pools and movie theaters, imposing an opening curfew on cafes and restaurants and saying that people stay outside wearing masks.

Concerned about crippling Italy’s stagnant economy, especially after a severe lockdown 10 weeks earlier in the epidemic, Italian Premier Giuseppe Cone opted against another massive nationwide lockdown. The new decree will come into effect from Monday and will run till 24 November.

“Our objective is to protect health and the economy,” Conte said.

The day before, Italy overtook one and a half million Coronavirus cases confirmed Since February, when it became the first country in Europe to suffer from the epidemic. On Sunday, Italy recorded 21,273 new confirmed cases and 128 deaths since the first day. Italy has caused a total of 37,338 virus deaths, the second-largest epidemic in Europe after Britain.

Restaurant and bar owners had lobbied strongly against the new measures, which order them to close at 6 pm. Most restaurants in Italy usually do not start serving dinner before 8 pm. In recent months it was permitted to reopen for restaurants and outdoor. Dining or limited indoor meeting. But many are struggling to pay their bills and some have already failed after tourists were banned from the US and many other countries.

Conte promised his center-left government financial support in the food sector since November, and noted that cafes and restaurants could deliver and order orders by midnight. But before the curfew, no more than four diners will be allowed per restaurant table, unless they are from the same family.

Under the new rules, ski slopes are off-limits for all, but competitive skiers and all spectators are banned from stadiums during professional sports matches, including football. Reception is followed by a religious or civil ceremony such as a wedding. The decree exempts children younger than six years and those who exercise outside wearing masks.

“We’ll all have to make small sacrifices,” Conte said. “If we can’t go to the gym, we can exercise outside.”

Conte kept elementary and middle schools open but said 75% of high school students must have remote classes. Crowds on public transport, especially in schools that reopened last month, are concerned by health officials.

By early summer, all had been removed after Italy’s lockdown, with new virus casselloids reduced to as little as 200 a day.

“These are difficult days,” said Health Minister Roberto Speranza as Conte spoke about the purpose of the latest borders. “Contagious disease is on the rise in the world. And the wave is very high all over Europe. We must react immediately and with determination, if we want to avoid constant numbers.”

Many Italian regions and cities recently slapped nighttime curfews, especially to cut out young people drinking outside. But Conte said that given the cold weather, people would prefer to socialize inside instead of bars and restaurants, so he ordered them closed early.

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