Italian municipalities want mandatory masks as government disagrees on schools

Italian mayors have proposed the government make masks mandatory outdoors from 6 December to 15 January, the president of the association for Italian municipalities Antonio Decaro announced on Tuesday.

On the same day, a meeting occurred between the internal minister Luciana Lamorgese and the prefects of regional capitals to discuss the application of the new rules for the “Super COVID Pass”.

Decaro justified such a decision saying that “on Christmas days, people go shopping and there is a strong desire to get together and form a community. There is a greater possibility of people gathering in our cities”.

Certain cities, like Turin, Bologna, Milan, Bergamo, Padova and Trento, have introduced compulsory face masks in some circumstances.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Roberto Speranza and Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi announced on Monday the introduction of compulsory quarantine of ten days for classes with one COVID-19 case.

The decision was made following a meeting with regional leaders who are pressing for tighter measures. However, on Tuesday, PM Mario Draghi reversed the decision, saying quarantine should only be compulsory after three cases in a class.

More specifically, the number of three cases is for 12-19-year-olds, while for 6-12 and 0-6, quarantine is compulsory after two and one case respectively. 

Draghi said that keeping classes in person is a priority for the government, which aims to improve the test and tracking in schools.

(Eleonora Vasques | EURACTIV.com)