Italy Covid-19 updates: what happens to Italian industries after May, 4?

The Italian Government is doing its utmost to face the current daunting situation linked to the recent coronavirus outbreak.
After a total-lockdown phase, which has allowed contagions to stabilize and even decrease, Italy is approaching the so-called “Phase 2”, consisting in a gradual restart of society and economy.

This is what the latest Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers Giuseppe Conte of April 26, 2020, is all about. This particular Decree aims at further specifying the activities that are forbidden and defining the conditions under which other activities are allowed.
Of course, the central idea is still to limit the spread of the disease by social distancing: thus, anything that involves a large number of people in a small space is prohibited.
As far as Italian manufacturing companies are concerned, the local prefectures can authorize the reopening of export-oriented industries, such as the vast majority of the mechanics, metalworking, wire processing, spring manufacturing, and automotive companies, as well as all those enterprises which are crucial for the Italian economy, such as building and construction. At last, these companies can fulfill their wish to jump back into the race against their foreign competitors which - for the most part - have never really stopped.

The authorized companies were able to partially get back to work from April 27, but only for those activities deemed preparatory. They will officially be able to reopen their doors starting from May 5, 2020. On May, 17 the Council of Ministers will hopefully issue new and softer measures also for other activities such as restaurants, hairdressers, retail shops, etc., according to the state of the infamous “contagion curve” to date.

In the meantime, the companies able to work need to implement a series of safety protocols: from PPE for each single individual, to social distancing in workplaces, to reduced work shifts. When possible, remote and agile working are still strongly encouraged.

Stay tuned for the next updates.

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas