Economics
Italy’s Drastic Containment Rules Don’t Seem to Have Changed Life Much
- Prime Minister Conte announced draconian decree late Sunday
- Rules include near-total travel ban for a quarter of Italians
A gondola is seen on the Grand Canal in Venice on March 8.
Photographer: Andrea Pattaro/AFP via Getty Images
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Italy introduced far-reaching measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak, yet hours after the dramatic early Sunday morning announcement, it was far from clear how strictly they would be enforced.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte presented the new rules, including a near-complete travel ban for about a quarter of Italians, following hours of uncontrolled leaks and signs of public panic. On Sunday morning, life seemed to continue as normal even in the regions most affected by the epidemic, with people crowding cafes and boarding trains to go north and south. Airports, including those in the affected areas, also remained open.