Mario Draghi goes straight and rejects the perplexities of Brussels about the limitations on entry into Italy even for those arriving from EU countries.
Until January 31, a negative swab will be needed to enter Italy, for the unvaccinated in addition to the test there is also a five-day quarantine.
"There is not much to think about", Draghi cut short after the Commission issued its warning, saying that the measures must be "proportional, justified and short-lived".
To justify the ordinance of the Ministry of Health there is the data on the incidence of the Omicron variant: according to the ISS in Italy it is only 0.19%, while abroad it is rampant.
The squeeze, the premier claims, serves "to defend tooth and nail a normality that our country has conquered at the price of 134 thousand dead" and to face Christmas with "relative tranquility".
Draghi therefore does not yield. Neither in Brussels nor to the perplexities within the majority, with the League disliking the extension of the Super green pass in the white zone until 31 March and the extension of the emergency, but prefers not to argue.
In the EU only Italy, Portugal, Ireland and, today's news, Greece, have introduced the obligation to swab travelers.
Brussels complains that it has not received any notification from Rome on the new restrictions, but from the government they explain that the notification was made in the morning, after having signed the ordinance on Tuesday evening. Everything solved? Not really. The draft conclusions of the EU Council ask for "not to disproportionately hinder freedom of movement" in the EU.
Imposing the buffer, Draghi reiterates, serves to protect Italy from Omicron, but we continue to focus on vaccines: "Anyone who has not been vaccinated should do so as soon as possible", is the appeal of the Prime Minister to the Italians.
(Unionoline / L)