Two soldiers wearing face masks patrol Duomo Square in Milan, Italy on Dec. 13. Photo: Andrea Verdelli/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced Friday that he has ordered a national lockdown for the Christmas and New Year's holidays as the country continues to see a surge in cases and deaths.
Why it matters: Italy has been one of the hardest-hit Western countries, with 67,894 coronavirus-related deaths as of Friday — the most in Europe.
- The country recorded 17,992 new COVID-19 cases and 674 deaths on Friday, according to data from the Health Ministry.
Details: Conte said nonessential stores must close between Dec. 24-27, Dec. 31-Jan.3 and Jan. 5-6, per Reuters.
- Travel on those days will only be allowed for work, heath or emergency issues. People will also be allowed to visit elderly family members living alone.
- Restaurants and bars must close through the holiday period, except for takeout.
- Conte said police would not specifically check that the rules were being followed inside homes, but he urged Italians to be responsible, Reuters reported.
- Conte said 645 million euros ($790 million) has been set aside to help restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality sector.
- Worth noting: The country had already passed a decree restricting movement between regions from Dec. 21 to Jan. 6.
What he's saying: “The situation is difficult across Europe. The virus continues to circulate everywhere,” Conte told reporters, per Reuters.
- “Our experts were seriously worried that there would be a jump in cases over Christmas. ... We therefore had to act, but I can assure you it was not an easy decision.”
The big picture: Governments have struggled to determine how best to stem the expected surge in cases due to the holiday season.
- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced on Friday the country will go into a lockdown after Christmas. All non-essential shops, which reopened last week, must close from Dec. 26-Jan. 18. Restaurants and museums must also remain closed until Jan. 18, and schools will be required to continue remote learning until after Jan. 15.
- Mexico City and the neighboring State of Mexico will ban nonessential activities starting Saturday until at least Jan. 10, officials announced Friday.