CORONAVIRUS - The ordinance of 23/2/2020 of the Minister of Health of Intesa with the President of the Veneto Region

Urgent measures for the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-2019

Contingency and urgent order no. 1 of 23/2/2020.

The Minister of Health of Intesa with the President of the Veneto Region

Urgent measures regarding the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-2019.

Having regard to Articles 77 and 87 of the Constitution;
Given that 25 cases have occurred so far in the territory of the Veneto Region in the Municipalities of
Vò (PD) and Mira (VE). The epidemiological picture related to these cases highlights an important element of concern which is the failure to identify the "index case'1 in both outbreaks. This event could expand the clusters of cases also to other territories of Veneto as not knowing the source, the extension· of the contagion is unpredictable today.

Considered therefore the extraordinary need and urgency to issue provisions to counter
the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19, measures are adopted to contrast and contain the spread of the aforementioned vi111s;

Taking into account also that the World Health Organization on 30 January 2020 declared the COVID-19 epidemic a public health emergency of international importance;

Noting the evolution of the overall epidemiological situation, the particular character
spread of the epidemic and the increase in cases and deaths notified to the Organization
World Health;

Having regard to the resolution of the Council of Ministers, adopted at its meeting of 22 February 2020, and pursuant to Article 32 of Law 833/78, Article 117 of Legislative Decree 112/98 and Article 50 of Legislative Decree 267/2000;

Art. I
(Urgent measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19)

1. In order to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in the Veneto Region, the President of the Veneto Region adopts extraordinary measures for adequate containment to counteract the evolution of the epidemiological situation.

2. The measures referred to in paragraph 1 are as follows:

a) Suspension of events or initiatives of any kind, of events in public or private places both in closed places and open to the public, including cultural, recreational, sports, religious, discos and nightclubs;

b) Closure of educational services for children and schools of all levels as well as the attendance of school activities and higher education, professional courses, masters, courses for health professions and universities for the elderly with the exception of doctors in specialized training and trainees of health professions, except for training activities carried out at a distance;

c) Suspension of the services of opening to the public of museums and other institutes and places of culture referred to in Article 101 of the codes of cultural heritage and landscape referred to in Legislative Decree 42/2004, as well as the effectiveness of the regulatory provisions on free or free access to such institutions or places;

d) Suspension of all educational trips both on the national territory and abroad;

e) Provision of the obligation on the part of individuals who have entered the Veneto from areas at epidemiological risk as identified by the World Health Organization to communicate this circumstance to the Department of Prevention of the competent health authority for the territory for the adoption of the fiduciary home stay measure with active surveillance.

Hygiene measures for respiratory spreading diseases listed below: .

1. 1. Wash your hands often, in this regard it is recommended to make available in all public places, gyms, supermarkets, pharmacies, and other places of aggregation hydroalcoholic solutions for hand washing.
2. Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections
3. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands
4. Cover your mouth and nose if you sneeze or cough
5. Do not take antiviral drugs or antibiotics, unless they are prescribed by your doctor
6. Clean surfaces with chlorine or alcohol-based disinfectants
7. Use the mask only if you suspect you are sick or assist sick people
8. Made in China products and packages received from China are not dangerous
9. Contact the regional toll-free number 800462340 if you have a fever or cough and have been back from China for less than 14 days
10. Pets do not spread the new coronavirus

f) The Hospital Health Directorates must arrange for the limitation of the access of simple visitors to the inpatient areas, preferably one person per patient per day.

g) The RSA for not self-sufficient will also have to limit the access of visitors to guests;

h) It is strongly recommended that health personnel comply with the prevention measures for the spread of respiratory infections as well as the strict application of the indications for the sanitization and disinfection of the environments provided for by the ministerial circulars;

(i) The competent bodies shall arrange for the daily disinfection of regional trains and all local public transport by land, air and water;

j) Suspension of insolvency proceedings with the exception of competitions for health personnel;

Art. 2
(Duration of urgent measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19)

The provisions of this Ordinance will take effect from the date of signature of this document until the end of 01.03.2020
This ordinance may be subject to change as a result of the change in the epidemiological scenario.
Unless it no longer constitutes a serious crime, failure to comply with the containment measures referred to in this decree shall be punishable under Article 650 of the Criminal Code.

A copy of the ordinance is sent to the prefects and to the Anti-Sophistication Nuclei (NAS).
Padua, 23 February 2020

The President of the Veneto Region Luca Zaia
The Minister of Health Roberto Speranza