PM Conte made another important statement for our country after Monday’s lockdown announcement late last night, March 11th. Measures were tightened further in hope of combating the COVID-19 outbreak.
As of today supermarkets, food stores and pharmacies are the only places to remain open, while bars, cafes, beauty parlors and restaurants are all to remain closed. PM underlined that we will only be able to see the results of the lockdown about two weeks from now and encouraged everyone to stay home. Conte’s office said the new measures would be in force from Thursday (today) until March 25th.
Everyone in Trieste and around Italy is urged to leave their houses for essential reasons only: work, medical appointments, and supermarket shopping. Supermarkets, newsstands, tabacchi, and banks remain open. Which of course has caused quite a stir among the local public that wondered if walking to get a a pack of cigarettes or to buy Il Piccolo will be considered a walk around town (which is not prohibited but is strongly advised against).
Protezione Civile reminded everyone to carry a signed statement with them that shows their reason for leaving their homes, destination and home address. You can find it here: https://www.protezionecivile.fvg.it/sites/default/files/event/attachment/2020-03/modulo_autodichiarazione_10.3.2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0jPDiEFwGvRJQm9wZ1SAfquT2DxADXAV3RgshkWv3eHNJ-everlnWNkgw
The Italian hashtag supporting the campaign to encourage limited movement is #iorestoacasa (I’m staying home), which most people are doing around here as streets around town have been deserted.
These are surreal times we’re living in, but now more than ever there’s a need to all work together as a global community. Probably, changing our daily habits (so long, capo in b in the sun) is the hardest, but we are all doing it for the common good. Now is the time to keep a level head, be prepared, and follow the guidelines (which most Triestini are doing). Stay safe and sound, wherever you are.
