Mumbai: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that the nationwide lockout will continue until at least 3 May with some small concessions.
In a television address in Xinhua on Saturday, Conte announced the expansion and raised questions from reporters online.
There are some small concessions that were not allowed in the initial lockdown announced on 10 March. The expanded lockdown includes the reopening of stores that sell items for children and stores selling stationery and books starting April 14.
Conte hopes to have the last full extension of the increased lockdown until May 3 that is being held in all Italy homes.
“Our hope is that after May 3 we can start again, slowly,” Conte said. “But it will depend on the efforts that we make now and later,” he said.
“We are determined to take measures for economic activity as soon as possible. But we are not in a position to do so right now,” he said.
Conte warns to drop his guard against the Italians.
“We cannot deny the efforts and sacrifices made so far,” Conte said. “If we give in to the temptation (to ignore the quarantine rules) then we risk from the beginning.”
Italy remains one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, with around 19,000 deaths and about 150,000 infections.
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