Prepared by Flavio Mondello and Ginevra Bruno
On March 9, 2020, the President of the Council of Ministers signed the Prime Ministerial Decree extending the Covid-19 emergency containment measures to the entire national territory. The provisions of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 9 March have immediate effect and are valid until and including April 3, 2020.
The measures referred to in art. 1 of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020 are extended to the entire national territory. It is recommended to avoid any movement of individuals in and out of the territories, as well as within the same territories, except for movements motivated by proven work needs or situations of necessity or movements for health reasons. It is permitted to return to one’s home or residence.
In addition, all forms of gathering of people in public places or places open to the public are prohibited throughout the country.
In order to clarify the stringent provisions imposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of March 9, 2020 several ministries have explained the implications of the measures contained in the Prime Ministerial Decree.
DIRECTIVE OF THE MINISTERY OF INTERIORS
The Ministry of the Interior has sent to the prefects the directive for the implementation of controls in “reinforced containment areas” (i.e. the whole peninsula), illustrating the sanctions for individuals who violate the limitations included in the Prime Ministerial Decree.
The sanction for those who violate the travel restrictions is that provided for in general terms by Article 650 of the Penal Code (failure to comply with a measure of an authority: penalty of imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to €206) unless a more serious hypothesis such as that provided for in Article 452 of the Penal Code (culpable offences against public health, which pursues all conduct liable to produce a danger to public health) can be considered
Who can move and how?
Movements can be made only if motivated by work needs or situations of necessity or for health reasons to be attested by a self-declaration, which can also be made on the spot by filling in forms provided by the police. An absolute ban, which does not allow exceptions, is provided for persons under quarantine or who have tested positive for the virus.
Checks on compliance with mobility restrictions will be carried out along the lines of communication and in major infrastructure of the transport system (railway stations, ports, airports, motorways and roads).
What impact will these measures have on business, goods and supply chains?
The explanatory note to the Prime Ministerial Decree of March 8, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation states that goods may enter and leave the territories included in the Reinforced Containment Area. Any applicability of the measure to transit and transport of goods and to the entire production chain to and from the areas indicated is excluded. The transport of goods is considered as a work requirement. Therefore, the personnel who drives the means of transport can enter and leave -and move within- the territories in the above mentioned area. This is limited to the needs of delivery or pick-up of goods.
To learn more about the implications of the Prime Ministerial Decree of March 9, 2020 on the job market see the Newsalert.
Furthermore, we would like to highlight that today the President of the Council of Ministers is meeting with the opposition to discuss economic measures to support the economy and limit the negative impact of the COVID-19 and, tomorrow, the report to Parliament on the deviation of public debt from the medium-term objectives is presented.