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Coronavirus: Italy PM Conte says lockdown exit plan coming Coronavirus: Italy PM Conte says lockdown exit plan coming
(about 5 hours later)
Italy will announce its plan to gradually exit its lockdown by the end of this week, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said. By the end of this week Italy will announce a plan to gradually exit its lockdown, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said.
In a Facebook post, Mr Conte said the country could not give up its policy of "maximum caution", and said Italy would reopen in line with "serious scientific policy".In a Facebook post, Mr Conte said the country could not give up its policy of "maximum caution", and said Italy would reopen in line with "serious scientific policy".
"A reasonable expectation is that we will apply it from May 4," he said."A reasonable expectation is that we will apply it from May 4," he said.
Italy has reported 24,114 deaths, the highest recorded toll in Europe.Italy has reported 24,114 deaths, the highest recorded toll in Europe.
Data released on Monday showed the number of people officially confirmed as infected with coronavirus had dropped for the first time since the outbreak began. Italian authorities said the symbolic drop of 20 cases was a "positive development".Data released on Monday showed the number of people officially confirmed as infected with coronavirus had dropped for the first time since the outbreak began. Italian authorities said the symbolic drop of 20 cases was a "positive development".
The third-largest economy in the eurozone has been under lockdown measures since 9 March, brought in to tackle the spread of the virus.The third-largest economy in the eurozone has been under lockdown measures since 9 March, brought in to tackle the spread of the virus.
Countries across Europe are slowly beginning to ease the restrictions, on businesses and on education. There is however no coordination between states. Countries across Europe are slowly beginning to ease the restrictions, on businesses and on education. There is however no co-ordination between states.
Some countries like Denmark have already reopened primary schools, while Spain's government is discussing on Tuesday how to ease its tight restrictions and allow children outside. Some countries like Denmark have already reopened primary schools, while Spain's government on Tuesday finally decided to allow children outside - under strict conditions.
What did Italy's PM say?What did Italy's PM say?
Mr Conte posted his statement on Facebook on Tuesday morning, insisting the government is working non-stop to coordinate moves towards "phase two" of its lockdown - "coexistence" with the virus. Mr Conte posted his statement on Facebook on Tuesday morning, insisting the government was working non-stop to co-ordinate moves towards "phase two" of its lockdown - "coexistence" with the virus.
"I would like to be able to say, let's open everything. Right away," he wrote. "But such a decision would be irresponsible. It would make the contagion curve rise uncontrollably and would jeopardise all the efforts that we've made until now.""I would like to be able to say, let's open everything. Right away," he wrote. "But such a decision would be irresponsible. It would make the contagion curve rise uncontrollably and would jeopardise all the efforts that we've made until now."
"The easing of measures must take place on the basis of a well-structured and articulated plan," he said, adding that Italy "cannot abandon the line of maximum caution"."The easing of measures must take place on the basis of a well-structured and articulated plan," he said, adding that Italy "cannot abandon the line of maximum caution".
Current national quarantine restrictions officially expire on 3 May. Mr Conte said he would announce the plan for how to leave the lockdown "before the end of this week". Current national quarantine restrictions officially expire on 3 May.
"A reasonable prediction is that we will apply it from 4 May," he concluded.
What about other European lockdowns?What about other European lockdowns?
Many European nations have slowly started to ease restrictions this week, with Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic among countries to allow certain businesses to reopen. Many European nations have slowly started to ease restrictions this week, with Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic among countries allowing certain businesses to reopen.
There is however no coordination at an EU level, and countries are reopening at different rates. There is however no co-ordination at an EU level, and countries are reopening at different rates.
Denmark was the first in Europe to allow pupils back in the classroom, with students under the age of 12 returning to education last week.Denmark was the first in Europe to allow pupils back in the classroom, with students under the age of 12 returning to education last week.
Norway allowed kindergarten students to return on Monday, provided they bring their own lunches and follow new hygiene rules.Norway allowed kindergarten students to return on Monday, provided they bring their own lunches and follow new hygiene rules.
But older students across Europe remain at home. France has officially extended its nationwide lockdown until 11 May, but even after then schools are not expected to return immediately.But older students across Europe remain at home. France has officially extended its nationwide lockdown until 11 May, but even after then schools are not expected to return immediately.
"On May 11, we are not going to have all the students enter the classroom, as if we were resuming normally," the education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Tuesday. Primary schools will likely return that week, followed by final year students from 18 May and all pupils from 25 May, the education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Tuesday.
Primary schools will likely return that week, followed by final year students from 18 May and all pupils from 25 May, he said. Spain has implemented one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe. Children of any age there are not currently allowed outside for any reason.
Spain has implemented one of the strictest lockdowns. Children of any age there are not currently allowed outside for any reason. But the government announced on Tuesday that from 27 April children under the age of 14 would be able to accompany their parents on trips to grocery shops or pharmacies.
The government is expected to ease those measures on Tuesday, with reports suggesting those under 12 years old will be allowed out under tight restrictions. The lockdown itself meanwhile has been extended until 9 May.