Italy issues no kissing, no handshake directive
The number of novel coronavirus cases in the world rose to 93,108, including 3,201 deaths, across 81 countries and territories by 0900 GMT Wednesday, according to a report compiled by AFP from official sources.
China – excluding the territories of Hong Kong and Macau – where the epidemic emerged at the end of December, had 80,270 cases, of which 2,981 were fatal. There were 119 new infections and 38 deaths there between 1700 GMT Tuesday and 1700 GMT Wednesday.
Outside of China, a total of 12,838 cases have been recorded around the world since the epidemic began, including 220 deaths.
There have been 269 new cases and eight new deaths outside China since Tuesday at 1700 GMT.
The most affected countries after China are South Korea – 5,328 cases, 32 deaths, 142 new cases; Italy – 2,502 cases, 79 deaths
Iran – 2,336 cases, 77 deaths; and Japan – 287 cases, 12 deaths, 19 new cases.
Japan has also recorded more than 700 cases aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess moored off Yokohama.
This assessment was carried out using data collected by AFP offices from the competent national authorities and information from the World Health Organisation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday issued a health decree asking people to stop shaking hands and kissing, as part of measures to combat the spread of coronavirus in Italy.
There are many ways to say hello in Italian. But many Italians would argue there’s no way to do it properly without a kiss and a hug.
Thanks to the coronavirus, Italians are about to have to figure out how to do precisely that, given looming new nationwide government recommendations against the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Conte would discuss personal contact among other topics – following advice from scientific advisors who are “very worried” about the virus, the ANSA news agency and other media said.
According to the reports, Italians will be urged to also avoid handshakes, and those aged over 75 invited to stay home as much as possible.
The recommendations would significantly affect daily life in a country where kissing – on the cheeks – is a regular form of greeting among friends, including men.
Italy is battling against the biggest coronavirus outbreak in Europe, with more than 2,500 infections as of late Tuesday, including 79 deaths.
Experts are considering extending lock down measures, currently valid for 11 municipalities in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, to other virus-affected communities. Authorities have said that this week would determine whether the first containment measures introduced on Feb. 23 are working, or if tougher action is needed.
“This week will definitely be important,” Civil Protection Agency chief Angelo Borrelli said on Tuesday.
“We are ready to review our actions depending on the scenarios that we will up against, aiming for more strictness or even, we hope, less,” he added.
AFP, dpa/NA
