"Now is the moment to take one more step." Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte outlined new measures to curb the spread of coronavirus on the evening of Wednesday 11 March 2020, beginning with the closure of all commercial premises, with the exception of pharmacies, parapharmacies, and essential services such as banking and postal services. Supermarkets and food shops will also remain open. "Italy," he explained, "is showing great responsibility. The world is watching us with concern, but it appreciates us because we are demonstrating great resilience. Tomorrow they will admire us, they will hold us up as a positive example because we will have known how to win the battle. We are the first country in Europe to have been hit, but we are also the one responding with the most energy."

"The golden rule remains to limit movement, except in cases of necessity"

"This is a challenge," Conte added, "that is putting our national health service under severe strain, but also testing the resilience of our economy. I made a pact with my conscience: the health of Italians will always come first. A few days ago I asked you to change your habits. The overwhelming majority of Italians responded in an extraordinary way. But I knew that was only a first step."

Agenzia ANSA ✓ @Agenzia_Ansa

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"Chiudiamo negozi, bar, pub, ristoranti. Resta consentita la consegna a domicilio". Lo annuncia il premier Giuseppe Conte a Palazzo Chigi - Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri "Restano garantiti i trasporti". #coronavirus #ANSA ow.ly/QGw950yJqrG

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The Prime Minister specified that canteens, shops, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, beauty salons and non-essential production departments in factories and offices would also be closed. These have been urged to adopt safety protocols in order to limit the risk of contagion, such as changes to shift patterns and the early use of annual leave. Agricultural and livestock businesses and the supply chains providing them with goods and services will remain operational. "The golden rule is that we must limit movement," the head of government added, "except for reasons of necessity. We must be aware that we have only just begun to change, and the effects will come in a couple of weeks, not from tomorrow."

"It will take two weeks to see results on the spread of coronavirus"

Conte then concluded by explaining that "if the numbers continue to rise, it does not mean we should rush to introduce new measures. We must be measured, rigorous and responsible. Shortly I will appoint an extraordinary commissioner, Domenico Arcuri (chief executive of the national agency for investment attraction and business development, ed.), who will work to step up the distribution of healthcare equipment and address the shortfalls identified. He will coordinate with Civil Protection, which I take this opportunity to thank."

"If we all respect these rules, we will emerge from this emergency sooner. We have a responsibility towards 60 million Italians. We are part of the same community. Let us stay apart today so that we can embrace each other more warmly tomorrow."