Italy will extend a state of emergency imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus until the end of April, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Wednesday.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza
The state of emergency, first introduced in January 2020, had been set to expire at the end of this month. It gives greater powers to central government, making it easier for officials to bypass the bureaucracy that smothers much decision-making in Italy.
“In the past week there has been a generalised worsening of the epidemic, we are back to an expansionary phase,” Speranza told the lower house of parliament.
“With indicators worsening. the government sees it appropriate to extend the state of emergency to April 30.”