Italy tightens curbs for Christmas as COVID deaths hit record high
Italy on Thursday banned midnight mass and halted movement between towns as part of the new restrictions aimed at avoiding a surge in coronavirus infections over the Christmas holidays.
Prime minister Giuseppe Conte said that, from December 21 to January 6, movement between Italy’s 20 regions will only be allowed for work, medical reasons or emergencies.
“It is clear this will be a Christmas that is different from the others but it will be no less authentic”, Conte said, urging people not to invite any guests to their homes.
“These families must remain divided even at Christmas. This is yet more proof that the government does not know Italy”, said Matteo Salvini, leader of the rightist League opposition party.
Italy has so far registered 1.665 million infections and more than 58,000 deaths from the virus, the second highest toll in Europe after Britain.
On Thursday, authorities reported a record 993 deaths. The previous record was in March, when the country reported 919 deaths.
