Italy is facing another lockdown, as the government attempts to contain a recent surge of coronavirus cases, marred by the presence of new variants.
Half of Italy’s 20 regions, which include the cities Rome, Milan, and Venice, will be entering new coronavirus restrictions from Monday, March 15. The measures will be effective through April 6; according to a decree passed by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet on Friday.
In regions demarcated as “red zones” people will be unable to leave their houses except for work or health reasons, with all non-essential shops closed. In “orange zones,” people will also be banned from leaving their town and their region; except for work or health reasons; and bars and restaurants will only be able to do delivery and take-away service.
Affected regions will be labeled red or orange, depending on the level of contagion. Regions that report weekly Covid-19 cases of more than 250 per 100,000 residents will also automatically go into lockdown; meaning that other regions could also be affected during this time period.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said new coronavirus measures are “necessary” because “we are unfortunately facing a new wave of infections” one year after the start of the pandemic.
Cases have been rising across the country; in excess of 25,000, a day over the past six weeks as Italy’s vaccination campaign is hit by delays.
Officials warn they are quickly losing ground in the fight against new, highly contagious variants.
however, Only 3 percent of the country is vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
“Italy is administering about 170,000 doses a day — our aim is to triple that,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said.