'Italy Announces Restrictions Over Entire Country in Attempt to Halt Coronavirus' diff viewer (4/5)

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Italy Announces Restrictions Over Entire Country in Attempt to Halt Coronavirus	Italy Announces Restrictions Over Entire Country in Attempt to Halt Coronavirus
2020-03-10 01:56:13 UTC	2020-03-10 02:28:10 UTC (32 minutes later)
ROME — Italy on Monday became the first European country to announce severe nationwide limits on travel as the government struggled to stem the spread of a coronavirus outbreak that has hobbled the economy, threatened to overwhelm public health care and killed more people than anywhere outside China.	ROME — Italy on Monday became the first European country to announce severe nationwide limits on travel as the government struggled to stem the spread of a coronavirus outbreak that has hobbled the economy, threatened to overwhelm public health care and killed more people than anywhere outside China.
The measures, announced in a prime time news conference by the country’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, sought to adopt the kind of drastic limits that may be working to control the virus in China, an authoritarian regime.	The measures, announced in a prime time news conference by the country’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, sought to adopt the kind of drastic limits that may be working to control the virus in China, an authoritarian regime.
But the scope of the clampdown in Italy, applied to roughly 60 million people — from islands in the south to the Alps in the north — immediately raised the question of whether an entire modern European nation protective of its individual freedoms would make the necessary sacrifices.	But the scope of the clampdown in Italy, applied to roughly 60 million people — from islands in the south to the Alps in the north — immediately raised the question of whether an entire modern European nation protective of its individual freedoms would make the necessary sacrifices.
The broader restrictions came just hours after the authorities announced that 9,172 people had been infected by the virus, 1,598 more than the day before. Deaths climbed to 463 people, the majority of whom are overwhelmingly elderly and sick people. There were 97 more deaths since Sunday.	The broader restrictions came just hours after the authorities announced that 9,172 people had been infected by the virus, 1,598 more than the day before. Deaths climbed to 463 people, the majority of whom are overwhelmingly elderly and sick people. There were 97 more deaths since Sunday.
As of Tuesday, permission would be necessary for Italians who sought to move around the country for reasons of work, health or extenuating circumstances. The same criteria would be applied for Italians looking to leave the country, but Mr. Conte suggested that foreigners could still come to Italy.	As of Tuesday, permission would be necessary for Italians who sought to move around the country for reasons of work, health or extenuating circumstances. The same criteria would be applied for Italians looking to leave the country, but Mr. Conte suggested that foreigners could still come to Italy.
More concretely, he said that schools and universities would remain closed as a result until at least April 3. Decrees banned jail visits and day-release programs for inmates, setting off riots across the country at 27 prisons. Guards were held hostage, and several inmates died in Modena.	More concretely, he said that schools and universities would remain closed as a result until at least April 3. Decrees banned jail visits and day-release programs for inmates, setting off riots across the country at 27 prisons. Guards were held hostage, and several inmates died in Modena.
All sports events and outdoor gatherings would now be forbidden. A 6 p.m. curfew on bars, currently in place in the northern areas, would be extended to the whole country. The days of young people gathering at outdoor events and pubs were over, he said.	All sports events and outdoor gatherings would now be forbidden. A 6 p.m. curfew on bars, currently in place in the northern areas, would be extended to the whole country. The days of young people gathering at outdoor events and pubs were over, he said.
“We all have to renounce something for the good of Italy,” said Mr. Conte, announcing that the government would enact stronger, more stringent rules than had been introduced just over a day earlier to the country’s wealthy north. He said the classifications between levels of threat in different regions and provinces would be replaced by a blanket restriction on nonessential movement across the country that he called “Italy, protected zone.”	“We all have to renounce something for the good of Italy,” said Mr. Conte, announcing that the government would enact stronger, more stringent rules than had been introduced just over a day earlier to the country’s wealthy north. He said the classifications between levels of threat in different regions and provinces would be replaced by a blanket restriction on nonessential movement across the country that he called “Italy, protected zone.”
As he attempted to rally Italians to abide by the measures, Mr. Conte emphasized that the outbreak, Europe’s worst, presented an existential threat to the country’s elderly population — the Continent’s oldest — and to the health care system that served them.	As he attempted to rally Italians to abide by the measures, Mr. Conte emphasized that the outbreak, Europe’s worst, presented an existential threat to the country’s elderly population — the Continent’s oldest — and to the health care system that served them.
Get an informed guide to the global outbreak with our daily coronavirus	Get an informed guide to the global outbreak with our daily coronavirus
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The sudden expansion of travel restrictions reflected the government’s effort to catch up to the spread of a virus that has consistently outpaced its efforts to contain it.	The sudden expansion of travel restrictions reflected the government’s effort to catch up to the spread of a virus that has consistently outpaced its efforts to contain it.
After the virus first appeared more than two weeks ago, the government first locked down 11 towns, but deaths and cases continued to spike.	After the virus first appeared more than two weeks ago, the government first locked down 11 towns, but deaths and cases continued to spike.
Early Sunday, it announced that it would restrict the movement of about a quarter of Italy’s population, locking down the region of Lombardy and risking its northern economic heart for the health of the entire country and the survival of an overwhelmed health care system.	Early Sunday, it announced that it would restrict the movement of about a quarter of Italy’s population, locking down the region of Lombardy and risking its northern economic heart for the health of the entire country and the survival of an overwhelmed health care system.
But those measures, already enormous in scope, have not stalled the virus’s toll. Instead, they have prompted confusion and anxiety as vague instructions from officials undercut the government’s assertions of control and authority.	But those measures, already enormous in scope, have not stalled the virus’s toll. Instead, they have prompted confusion and anxiety as vague instructions from officials undercut the government’s assertions of control and authority.
Different regions had enforced different measures, politicians offered different definitions of what “movement” meant, and internet rumors spread unsubstantiated — and, the authorities said, false — accounts of overburdened hospitals denying care to anyone over 60. Riots broke out in 27 prisons, with guards held hostage and several inmates dying, in part because the decree had banned jail visits and day-release programs for inmates.	Different regions had enforced different measures, politicians offered different definitions of what “movement” meant, and internet rumors spread unsubstantiated — and, the authorities said, false — accounts of overburdened hospitals denying care to anyone over 60. Riots broke out in 27 prisons, with guards held hostage and several inmates dying, in part because the decree had banned jail visits and day-release programs for inmates.
Residents in and out of the locked-down areas of the north expressed bewilderment at what they could or could not do, or should do, to protect themselves.	Residents in and out of the locked-down areas of the north expressed bewilderment at what they could or could not do, or should do, to protect themselves.
“We are hearing too many things, and people don’t really get what’s going on,” said Laurence Paretti, 56, who window-shopped in Milan, where she taught yoga. She said she assumed it was fine to take a walk around the city but said that the government’s explanations “aren’t clear at all.”	“We are hearing too many things, and people don’t really get what’s going on,” said Laurence Paretti, 56, who window-shopped in Milan, where she taught yoga. She said she assumed it was fine to take a walk around the city but said that the government’s explanations “aren’t clear at all.”
Mr. Conte acknowledged that a change was necessary on Monday night, as he introduced what he called stronger and broader restrictions. “We have to do it immediately,” he said.	Mr. Conte acknowledged that a change was necessary on Monday night, as he introduced what he called stronger and broader restrictions. “We have to do it immediately,” he said.
Giovanni Rezza, director of the infective illness department at the National Health Institute, called the decision “necessary” and suggested that European neighbors such as France and Germany should follow suit.	Giovanni Rezza, director of the infective illness department at the National Health Institute, called the decision “necessary” and suggested that European neighbors such as France and Germany should follow suit.
He said Italy was essentially faced with two choices, a Wuhan-style lockdown in which people could not leave their towns, including in the economic capital of Milan, or the option the government took, imposing partial travel restrictions and social distancing by closing bars and sporting events and thus keeping people away from one another.	He said Italy was essentially faced with two choices, a Wuhan-style lockdown in which people could not leave their towns, including in the economic capital of Milan, or the option the government took, imposing partial travel restrictions and social distancing by closing bars and sporting events and thus keeping people away from one another.
Mr. Rezza, who on Monday morning raised the alarm of the virus hitting Rome, said he believed the government feared an epidemic in the less developed south. “There is a huge scare that the virus spreads to southern regions,” where the health care system is much inferior to the one in the north, he said.	Mr. Rezza, who on Monday morning raised the alarm of the virus hitting Rome, said he believed the government feared an epidemic in the less developed south. “There is a huge scare that the virus spreads to southern regions,” where the health care system is much inferior to the one in the north, he said.
In Milan, police stopped cars asking them to fill out forms explaining where they were going and why, but it was not immediately clear how broadly, or seriously, the new measures would be applied or enforced.	In Milan, police stopped cars asking them to fill out forms explaining where they were going and why, but it was not immediately clear how broadly, or seriously, the new measures would be applied or enforced.
In a reflection of how the spread of the virus had evolved into a national emergency, the government’s decree received support across the political spectrum.	In a reflection of how the spread of the virus had evolved into a national emergency, the government’s decree received support across the political spectrum.
Matteo Salvini, the opposition leader of the nationalist League party, who had pressed Mr. Conte earlier in the day to expand the restrictive measures to the whole country, responded with measured approval. But he also said Mr. Conte needed to be clearer, and that it was ~~necessary,~~ “to close everything and immediately, without leaving space for doubts or interpretations.”	Matteo Salvini, the opposition leader of the nationalist League party, who had pressed Mr. Conte earlier in the day to expand the restrictive measures to the whole country, responded with measured approval. But he also said Mr. Conte needed to be clearer, and that it was necessary “to close everything and immediately, without leaving space for doubts or interpretations.”
Matteo Renzi, a former prime minister, had criticized the government’s failure to effectively communicate the importance of the previous restrictions. He too said he had urged the government to expand the measures to all of Italy to stop the virus from spreading across the country and deeper into Europe. He said in an interview on Monday night that he thought Italians would now better obey the new decree “because now it’s all of Italy. It’s not one part divided from the other. You have to do it for everybody.”	Matteo Renzi, a former prime minister, had criticized the government’s failure to effectively communicate the importance of the previous restrictions. He too said he had urged the government to expand the measures to all of Italy to stop the virus from spreading across the country and deeper into Europe. He said in an interview on Monday night that he thought Italians would now better obey the new decree “because now it’s all of Italy. It’s not one part divided from the other. You have to do it for everybody.”
Mr. Conte, a former ally of Mr. ~~Salvini~~ was until two years ago a little known law professor. Now he finds himself leading the country during its greatest challenge in recent history. He has a circular and legalistic speaking style and a habit for complimenting himself on his clarity.	Mr. Conte, a former ally of Mr. Salvini, was until two years ago a little known law professor. Now he finds himself leading the country during its greatest challenge in recent history. He has a circular and legalistic speaking style and a habit for complimenting himself on his clarity.
But on Sunday and Monday, he confused many Italians by citing the language in the decree limiting movement in the north, speaking about an “obligation for all the physical persons who enter or exit the area” to “avoid every movement.” It sounded draconian but allowed for plenty of wiggle room.	But on Sunday and Monday, he confused many Italians by citing the language in the decree limiting movement in the north, speaking about an “obligation for all the physical persons who enter or exit the area” to “avoid every movement.” It sounded draconian but allowed for plenty of wiggle room.
Travel continued in and out of the north by car, train and plane. The country’s response remained fragmented. Regions in the middle and south developed their own restrictions, some of them significantly tougher than those on the north.	Travel continued in and out of the north by car, train and plane. The country’s response remained fragmented. Regions in the middle and south developed their own restrictions, some of them significantly tougher than those on the north.
To help explain the decree, the Interior Ministry published “auto-certification” forms that anyone traveling from or to the locked-down areas needed to fill out and present when asked by the authorities to attest that they needed to travel for work, or health or “other necessities.”	To help explain the decree, the Interior Ministry published “auto-certification” forms that anyone traveling from or to the locked-down areas needed to fill out and present when asked by the authorities to attest that they needed to travel for work, or health or “other necessities.”
In the towns around Milan, Italy’s economic and cultural capital, that had suffered the largest outbreaks and been strictly sealed, Sunday’s restrictions had actually eased the local lockdowns.	In the towns around Milan, Italy’s economic and cultural capital, that had suffered the largest outbreaks and been strictly sealed, Sunday’s restrictions had actually eased the local lockdowns.
Even some of the mayors of the towns were confused on Monday afternoon and lamented soldiers leaving the checkpoints.	Even some of the mayors of the towns were confused on Monday afternoon and lamented soldiers leaving the checkpoints.
“I am a bit worried because the effort we did during the quarantine could be wasted,” said Elia Delmiglio, the mayor of Casalpusterlengo, where quarantine rules were lifted. “If you do not have a circumscribed area anymore, some positive people could bring the virus around and infect other people.”	“I am a bit worried because the effort we did during the quarantine could be wasted,” said Elia Delmiglio, the mayor of Casalpusterlengo, where quarantine rules were lifted. “If you do not have a circumscribed area anymore, some positive people could bring the virus around and infect other people.”
Massimo Galli, who heads a team of doctors who identified the Italian strain of the virus last month at the Biomedical Research Institute of Milan, has said reopening those towns was “crazy.”	Massimo Galli, who heads a team of doctors who identified the Italian strain of the virus last month at the Biomedical Research Institute of Milan, has said reopening those towns was “crazy.”
The measures introduced on Sunday, he said in an interview, were “not enough” for areas that had been quarantined red zones.	The measures introduced on Sunday, he said in an interview, were “not enough” for areas that had been quarantined red zones.
“What they did in Wuhan is far more drastic than what we did,” he said, adding that he worried about “fire brewing under the ashes, that in other parts of the country you can have the surprise of epidemics that circulated for a time, without giving any signs.”	“What they did in Wuhan is far more drastic than what we did,” he said, adding that he worried about “fire brewing under the ashes, that in other parts of the country you can have the surprise of epidemics that circulated for a time, without giving any signs.”
But other virologists believed Italy had on Monday night done what it needed to do.	But other virologists believed Italy had on Monday night done what it needed to do.
Roberto Burioni, one of Italy’s leading virologists, said that Italy had underestimated the contagiousness of the virus, so the government needed to act decisively and Italians needed to respond responsibly.	Roberto Burioni, one of Italy’s leading virologists, said that Italy had underestimated the contagiousness of the virus, so the government needed to act decisively and Italians needed to respond responsibly.