Italy Introduces New Health, Safety And Economic Support Measures To Manage The Coronavirus Epidemic

Italy has put in place a range of new measures to contain the COVID-19 virus and provide economic support.

A Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (DPCM) approved on 22 March 2020 saw the Italian government introduce further measures for the containment and management of the COVID-19 health emergency. These measures will apply nationwide. The government's further intervention became necessary in view of the latest developments in the public health emergency, the very diffuse nature of the epidemic, and the increase of cases nationally.

In particular, the Decree orders suspension of all commercial, retail and manufacturing activities, except for those listed in Annex 1 of the DPCM, and with the additional exception of activities listed below. Companies whose businesses are suspended will have until 25 March 2020 to complete any activity considered 'necessary' at the time of suspension, including the shipment of goods in stock. It also means a ban on the movement of people across municipalities, whether by means of public or private transport, other than for non-deferrable and proven business or health reasons or other urgent matters.

The following business activities are still permitted:

Commercial/retail and manufacturing activities if they can be performed at a distance or remotely through flexible working practices (e.g. through 'smart working'). Activities considered essential to supply chains in order to guarantee the continuity of businesses that have not been suspended (set out in Annex 1 of the DPCM), as well as of public services and essential services. Businesses that provide public services, as well as essential services (however, museums and other cultural institutes and sites remain closed to the public, and educational and training services suspended, unless provided remotely). The production, transport, sale and delivery of pharmaceuticals, health technologies and medical/surgical devices, as well as food and agricultural products. Activities in factories that use continuous production processes, the suspension of which would cause serious harm to the factory or create an accident hazard. Manufacturing activities in the aerospace and defence sectors, as well as any other activities of strategic importance to the national economy, subject to prior authorisation from the Prefect of the province in which the manufacturing activities are carried out. Agencies for the leasing of manpower, limited to authorised...