Campania’s Governor De Luca Urges Nationwide Covid-19 Measures

The governor of Campania, Vincenzo De Luca, issued a statement emphasizing the critical need for a unified, nationwide approach to combatting the surging Covid-19 infections. He stressed that inconsistent regional restrictions are counterproductive and warned against complacency. De Luca highlighted the paradoxical situation where regions currently under stricter limitations might experience a quicker return to normalcy, while those with less stringent measures risk facing harsher restrictions during the upcoming holiday season. He argued that a more stringent, nationwide strategy is essential given the widespread and relatively uniform spread of the virus. The governor underscored the crucial role of individual responsibility, stating unequivocally that citizen behavior will determine the trajectory of the pandemic. He warned against the potential for a calamitous situation, emphasizing that irresponsible actions could jeopardize the significant progress made in keeping intensive care unit occupancy and mortality rates relatively low. De Luca urged immediate action, calling on mayors to implement weekend closures of promenades and parts of historic city centers to curb large gatherings. He also advocated for intensified enforcement of mask mandates and appealed to the national government for swift action on parental leave provisions and childcare subsidies to alleviate the burden on working parents. Finally, while acknowledging the government’s pledges of economic aid, he emphasized the need for broad-based extensions of tax payment deadlines, instead of relying on case-by-case solutions.