Dario Franceschini, Minister of Culture and Tourism, told Italian daily La Repubblica that Italy will remain closed, with travel restrictions in place to constrain the transmission of SARS-C0V-2. Tourism employs an estimated 4,2 million Italians – almost a fifth of the entire national workforce.
Italy’s Confturismo tourism association estimated the Corona crisis would result in lost income of 22 billion euros. “One hundred euros spent on tourism generates 86 euros in other sectors,” including the food sector and real estate, an official explained.
Franceschini said that museums and the country’s main attractions that were closed due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus will resume work in May. That includes the Colosseum and Pompeii. But he added: “The opening of the borders will depend on the epidemiological situation and the policies of each individual state,” the minister said.
An immunity test for the Coronavirus will be chosen on April 29, Higher Health Council (CSS) President Franco Locatelli said on Friday. “On April 29 there will be the ranking of the serum tests and the adjudication of the one selected for the prevalence study on the national territory,” he said.
This will be a key stage in defeating the virus, he said.
Meanwhile, an upcoming government decree will lift VAT on facemasks and other PPE, sources in the government said on Friday. One billion euros could be set aside for proposals from parliament on fighting the Coronavirus emergency, the sources said.
The decree is expected to be approved by the end of the month.
