Prognosis

Italy Needs to Return to Strict National Lockdown, Adviser Says

  • Stop-and-go measures aren’t containing virus, Ricciardi warns
  • Country must step up preparations for mass-vaccination phase

Pedestrians wearing protective face masks in the center Milan on Jan. 13. Italy’s government has opted for a three-tier system based on regional restrictions that are generally softer than the measures last spring.

Photographer: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Italy needs to reimpose strict lockdown measures across the country as the current system of on-again/off-again curbs has failed to prevent a coronavirus resurgence, a senior government adviser said.

The government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also needs to step up its preparations for a phase of mass vaccinations due to start in March, Walter Ricciardi, an adviser to Health Minister Roberto Speranza, said in an interview.