05 March

LAVORO

COVID-19: new containment measures for the epidemiological emergency

05/03/2020

Prime Ministerial Decree of 4 March 2020 on "Further implementing provisions of Decree-Law no. 6 of 23 February 2020, containing urgent measures on the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency caused by COVID-19, applicable to the whole country" was published in Official Journal no. 55/2020, and is in force since yesterday. With this decree, the government orders the suspension of all congresses, meetings, and social events in which healthcare personnel or staff in charge of carrying out a public service or a public utility are involved, as well as the postponement of any other convention or congress until after 3 April 2020. The Prime Ministerial Decree above "prohibits patient companions from remaining in the waiting rooms of emergency and urgent care departments unless specifically indicated otherwise by health personnel in charge", and limits the access of relatives and visitors to hospitals and long-term care facilities, assisted healthcare residences, and residential facilities for the elderly, both self-sufficient and non, limiting access "only to cases indicated by the health management of the facility, which is required to take the measures necessary to prevent any transmission of infection". The measure on telecommuting remains in place throughout the country. It should be noted that Articles 3 and 4 of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 1 March 2020 (on information and prevention measures throughout Italy) cease to produce effects, as they have been replaced by the provisions of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 4 March 2020.