Italy: 4 regions go under lockdown as COVID-19 cases spike

Italy registered 34,505 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday

lombardy reuters The Piazza del Duomo square in Lombardy after the lockdown came into effect | Reuters

Four Italian regions are being put under “red-zone” lockdown, with severe limits imposed on the circumstances under which people can leave home, Premier Giuseppe Conte announced, Associated Press reported on Thursday.

Italy registered 34,505 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday and 445 deaths due to the virus.

The southern Italian region of Calabria will join Lombardy, Piedmont and Aosta Valley in partial lockdown—these regions have been placed under a red zone alert. As per the new restrictions, barbershops and hair salons in the ‘red zone’ will remain open, while other non-essential shops must close.

Under the lockdown, which is aimed at tamping down a surge in COVID-19 infections, mask wearing has been made mandatory, but residents can exercise near their homes. The lockdown is an attempt to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with cases.

It was after days of discussions with regional governors that Health Minister Roberto Speranza decided which regions be designated as a ‘red zone’.

“I know that these choices will mean sacrifices and difficulties, but they are the only way to bend the curve,” he said. “United, we can do it”.

Classrooms will remain open except for high schools, which must conduct remote instructions. The designations will be reviewed every two weeks.

Paris in France and Greece also tightened restrictions as cases spiked. France recorded 58,046 new cases Thursday. Greece announced a three-week lockdown after reporting 10,000 new cases in five days.

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