Draghi: 'Schools up to the first year of middle school are reopening'

“The decision to reopen schools up to the first year of middle school is confirmed, Minister Bianchi is working to ensure that this happens in an orderly manner.

In some cases, it will be possible to carry out checks. The control room's intention is to use the space provided by the flattening of the curve to reopen up to the sixth grade, which is a very limited source of contagion. The higher the school age, the greater the related activities, such as transportation, and the risk of contagion. All other measures remain in place." This is what the Prime Minister Mario Draghi at a press conference at Palazzo Chigi, the day after the European Council.

DRAGHI: 'UNVACCINATED HEALTHCARE WORKERS? THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTERVENE' 

On unvaccinated health workers, "the government intends to intervene, it is absolutely not right that they are in contact with sick people. Minister Cartabia is preparing a provision on this, how is still to be seen".

DRAGHI: 'CONTRACTS FOR SPUTNIK? HEALTH AT STAKE, BE CAREFUL'

"I reserve the right to examine the legal part of these latest contracts" for the purchase of Sputnik, "but I remember that here the health, life and death of individuals are at stake. We must always seek European coordination, try to strengthen it. Then if we do not see a solution, it is clear that we will have to look for other ways. I would be careful in making these contracts", says Prime Minister Mario Draghi regarding the States that are booking the purchase of Sputnik, something that the Campania Region has also done.

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An intervention on unvaccinated workers is "under consideration, but we recognize that the participation of healthcare workers has been very broad, it is the vast majority and has set a good example". This was stated by Health Minister Roberto Speranza in a press conference with Prime Minister Draghi.

VACCINES, DRAGHI: 'FUNDAMENTAL TO FOLLOW AGE CRITERION AS A PRIORITY'

“The Constitution attributes to the Government the health competences in the event of a pandemic. But that was not the reason for the call” to the Regions “but it was intended to tell the Regions: we must vaccinate the most fragile people and then move forward by age. Fundamentally, the age criterion must return to being” the one pursued. “What cannot be explained to people is why categories of non-fragile people were vaccinated first.” “In any case, the response from the Regions was positive. The basic criterion is that we must work together.” This was said by Prime Minister Mario Draghi, answering a question at a press conference.

Hope: 'First signs of slowdown. That's why yes to school'

“We have made the decision to reopen schools because the data is giving us a very first sign of a slowdown in infections.” This was stated by the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, in the press conference with Prime Minister Draghi on the measures relating to the coronavirus pandemic, explaining that “the Rt has dropped to 1.08, it was 1.16 last week and had been rising for seven weeks. The incidence rate per 100 inhabitants has also dropped below 250. So in a situation that is still delicate, we can however allow ourselves a choice that wants to send a signal. For the social function that schools have for the country.”

VACCINE, DRAGHI: 'THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE SOLVED BY PRODUCING THEM'

“The problem is not solved with lockdowns, it is solved by producing vaccines. It is the only thing that can restore our self-confidence. We must regain a taste for the future.” “Closures are conceivable or unthinkable only based on the data we see” on infections. “The measures have shown over the course of a year and a half that they are not far-fetched. It is desirable to reopen, the decision whether to do so or not depends on the data.”