Italy Coronavirus Update: PM Giuseppe Conte Plans Staged End to Lockdown As New Cases Continue To Fall

Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte has come up with a staged end to Europe’s longest coronavirus lockdown.

It has been more than two months since the first case of COVID-19 infection was reported in a small town outside of Milan, Italy. Now the country is finally set to end the lockdown in two stages as the number of newly reported cases continues to fall.

According to Conte’s plan, the buildings and factories will be allowed to open after May 4th and people will be allowed to visit families but with restrictions. The government plans to restore the economy and ease the lockdown restrictions while making sure that there is no second wave on coronavirus in Italy.

While manufacturers, wholesalers and construction companies will be allowed to reopen from May 4, the retailers may have to wait for another two weeks before they can resume their business as usual.

The plan highlights that takeaway businesses may be allowed to operate from May, bars and restaurants may have to wait until the start of June. Parks are also expected to open after May 4, and people may be allowed to pay family visits and attend funerals. But at a time, the number of people should not be more than 15.

"The reopening is allowed on condition that all companies involved strictly respect security protocols in the workplace," Conte said while revealing the plan.

Even though the government plans to restore the economy by allowing businesses to operate, the inter-region movement of people is expected to remain suspended until further notice. Those who need to travel, need to carry a declaration explaining the reason for their movement.

The prime minister further added that limited restrictions on all activities are likely to continue until there is a definite vaccine or cure for COVID-19. The same is not likely to be available immediately and may take several months to be approved.

Meanwhile, the number of new cases and deaths from coronavirus in Italy continues to fall. Italy’s coronavirus death toll on Sunday was 260, lowest since March 14. Coronavirus has affected 197,675 people in Italy so far and 26,644 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 infection in Italy.