OREANDA-NEWS. The Italian government intends to extend the state of emergency connected to the wide spread of COVID-19 until January 31, 2021.

This was announced on October 6 by Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza. “The results are achieved day by day, and the course should be on prudence and caution. Therefore, I believe that the government’s choice in favour of extending the state of emergency until January 31 is correct. I believe that this is fully consistent with the epidemiological period that we are experiencing,” the Minister said, speaking in Senate of the Republic with a report on the situation in connection with the pandemic.

Earlier on Tuesday, Speranza addressed the Chamber of Deputies, where he presented the main provisions of a new government decree on measures to combat COVID-19, which is expected to be approved on October 7. The Health Minister, in particular, proposed to introduce mandatory wearing of medical masks in the open air.

The Italian Council of Ministers adopted a resolution on the introduction of a state of emergency for six months on January 31. On July 31, this regime was extended until October 15.