The Italian government will extend the mandatory use of masks in some closed places, such as public transport, cinemas and theaters, until 15 June.
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza, who is expected to issue a decree on the subject in the coming hours, made the statement today.
“Masks will remain mandatory until June 15 on local and long-distance public transport, in cinemas, theaters, and at all indoor sporting events and competitions,” Speranza said at a convention in Rome. Said.
The extension will also apply to hospitals and nursing homes, but bars, restaurants and shops will be exempted. “In all other workplaces, without distinction between public and private, masks will only be highly recommended”, reinforced Andrea Costa, undersecretary of the Ministry of Health.
Mandatory indoor use of face protection ended at the beginning of May, and there was hope in sectors of the economy and in some parties that the Italian government could end the requirement.
“The choice to become the only European country to legally require the use of masks appears to be the result of Minister Speranza’s ideological bias,” far-right Francesco Lollobrigida from Italy’s Brotherhood Party (FDI) said on Thursday. ) Party.
This is also the last week of validity of a certificate of vaccination, treatment or testing against Covid almost everywhere. Starting in May, the so-called green pass will only be required in hospitals and nursing homes, which are the most risky places.
Italy has been responsible for 16.3 million cases and more than 163,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Average transmission and death rates have fluctuated over the past few months, but the country now has 1.2 million people infected, which contributed to the decision to maintain mandatory use of masks in certain locations.
“We are still in the pandemic and going through a very important phase, but we have the tools to manage it,” Speranza said.
source: Noticias
