On March 8, the Italian Government issued strict legislation to slow the contagion of Coronavirus. Read the full legislation here (in Italian).
Due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) and various control and isolation measures imposed by the Italian authorities on March 8, entry into and exit from the following areas is forbidden without official permission on the grounds of strict necessity: the Lombardy region (which includes the cities of Milan, Bergamo, Como) and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini (all in Emilia Romagna); Pesaro e Urbino (in Marche); Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli (all in Piemonte); Padova. Treviso and Venice (in Veneto).
Across the whole of Italy, until April 3, museums and cultural institutions are closed and all sporting fixtures must be played behind closed doors. Public and social gatherings, including conferences, are suspended with cinemas, theatres, pubs, gaming halls and clubs closed. Restaurants and bars remain open with reduced seating. Religious ceremonies and funerals are suspended. Childcare facilities, schools and universities are closed until March 15.
Measures against Coronavirus
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based gel.
- Avoid close contact with people, keeping a distance of at least one metre.
- Do not shake hands or hug until the emergency has subsided.
- Do not touch your mouth, eyes or/and nose with your hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you sneeze or cough, or sneeze or cough into the inner fold of your elbow.
- If you have flu-like symptoms, do not go to the hospital emergency room or to a doctor’s surgery; call the freephone number 1500.
- Clean surfaces with chlorine- or alcohol-based disinfectants.
- Use a mask only if you think you might be ill or if you assist ill people.
For information, citizens can call freephone number 800 556060 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Public phone line 1500, managed by healthcare professionals at the Italian Ministry of Health, is also available for questions (in Italian and Chinese) regarding Coronavirus. The 24-hour multilingual phone lines 055 5454777 (Florence, Prato, Pistoia and Empoli), 050 954444 (Pisa, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara and Viareggio) and 800 579579 (Arezzo, Grosseto and Siena) are strictly for persons who have been in close contact with individuals who have tested positive to the virus and for persons who have returned from areas affected by Covid-19 in China and quarantined areas in Lombardy and Veneto in the last 14 days. The emergency phone number remains 118.
According to the World Health Organization, common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Tuscany is extending its excellent healthcare service to international students, tourists and all those in the region for business purposes.
Further information can be found here at www.salute.gov.it/nuovocoronavirus.
Article updated: March 9, 11:00
