Italy: Extension of the state of emergency

The Draghi government decides to extend the state of emergency. It was supposed to expire at the end of December but it will continue to be valid until March 31, the Italian press writes today. The relevant decision is expected to be formalized probably in the afternoon.

According to many commentators, the Italian technocratic prime minister also wants to send a clear political message: that he means to continue to lead the government, facing the problems of the pandemic, and that at the same time he does not nominate himself for the presidency of the republic.

Mandatory vaccination, cancellations of celebrations

The decisive line of the government of Rome continues: from tomorrow comes into force the mandatory vaccination of police officers, men and women of the army, carabinieri, teaching staff and administrators working in hospitals. The message is that the vaccine is the main and irreplaceable means in the fight against coronavirus.

Meanwhile, as the Italian newspaper La Repubblica writes today, more and more Christmas open-air markets and New Year celebrations were planned to be canceled in major cities of the country. Holidays are canceled in Rome, Mantua, Padua, Genoa, Treviso and beyond. The aim is to avoid overcrowding at a critical stage in the fight against the virus, due to the micron variation. And travel agents point out that very few Italians will travel to celebrate the coming of the new year. Compared to 2019, the drop reaches 47%. In other words, holidays in a safe family or as familiar as possible.

Only 5.4% have issued a ticket abroad and of those citizens who will stay within national borders, 69% will not even leave the region in which they live permanently. The Italians are essentially following the advice of Health Minister Roberto Speranza, who has asked them not to cancel efforts to curb the spread of the virus and to be a little more patient.

Theodoros Andreadis Siggelakis, Rome

Source: Deutsche Welle