The decision of the government led by Giuseppe Conte is to close every productive activity that is not strictly necessary, indispensable, or crucial to providing us with essential goods.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered an address in the late evening of Saturday 21 March to update the Italian population on the measures in force to counter the spread of the new coronavirus. Conte stated that "the decision is to close every productive activity that is not strictly necessary, indispensable, or crucial to providing us with essential goods. All supermarkets, food shops and shops selling basic necessities will remain open. For this reason I urge everyone to stay calm, avoid panic buying and queuing. Pharmacies, parapharmacies, banking, postal, insurance and financial services, and transport will remain open." He added that "beyond this, work is permitted only through smart working and for productive activities relevant to national output."
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Conte went on to add: "We are slowing the country's productive engine, but we are not stopping it, in order to prepare ourselves to face the most acute phase of the contagion. A necessary decision to contain the spread of the epidemic as much as possible. The state is here, the state is present. The government will intervene with extraordinary measures to lift our heads and get back on track as soon as possible."
"I have chosen not to downplay reality," President Conte began. "This is the most difficult crisis the country has experienced since the Second World War. The deaths of so many of our fellow citizens is a grief that renews itself every day. These are not mere numbers — they are people, they are the stories of families losing those dearest to them. It takes time; we must follow all the rules with patience, with trust. These are severe measures, but we have no alternative. We must hold on. Only in this way will we be able to protect ourselves and the people we love. Our sacrifice is minimal compared to that being made by other fellow citizens — doctors, nurses, women and men who are not simply going to work but are performing an act of great responsibility towards the nation. An act of love towards Italy as a whole. We are giving up our most cherished habits, but we are not giving up courage and hope for the future."
On 21 March, 42,681 people tested positive, 4,821 more than on Friday. Since the start of the epidemic on 20 February, a total of 53,578 people have contracted Sars-Cov-2. This figure includes deaths, which on Saturday alone numbered 793, bringing the total to 4,825. Those who recovered numbered 943, bringing the total to 6,072.