Nothing has yet been decided on the Christmas squeeze because the data will weigh on the final decisions as usual. And in particular those on the diffusion of the dreaded more contagious Omicron variant of the Delta: the last photograph will arrive with the ISS flash survey expected on the Government table already on Wednesday 22, before the control room on 23 December which will decide the measures to stem the fourth wave during the Christmas and New Year holidays. For now, the first data on Omicron arriving from the Regions show an increase in the diffusion of the variant, but still not exponentially.
The duration of the green pass and the times for the third dose
Among the safest measures being studied is the one that aims to reduce the duration of the green pass, which should pass from the current 9 months to 6-7 months: a measure that would accelerate the third doses even more. , the best shield against the virus, given that for 15 million Italians the green certificate with the new duration would expire in January. In this sense, the reduction of the interval for the new injection from 5 to 4 months after the first vaccination cycle is also considered.
No swabs for the vaccinated for cinema and theater
On the other hand, it is almost certain that there will not be an extension of the swab obligation also for vaccinated people to go to the theater, cinema or even to restaurants. The measure, in addition to not being appreciated by the Minister of Cultural Heritage Dario Franceschini, among other things, does not like the Five Stars and in particular its leader Giuseppe Conte, as well as that of the Lega Matteo Salvini. Prime Minister Draghi himself would be against it not only because it would represent a fatal blow to a sector that is trying to restart with difficulty, but also because it could prove to be a sensational own goal because it would “punish” those who have been vaccinated by equating them in some way with the unvaccinated. Tests for those who are immunized, at most, could be required for the places most at risk of contagion: concerts, stadiums and discos.
Extension of the vaccination obligation to new categories?
In addition to the obligation to wear an outdoor mask which in fact is already in force in the yellow regions for 12 million Italians (from Monday 20 after Friuli, Calabria and Bolzano also in Liguria, Marche, Veneto and Trento) among the measures that could enter in this new squeeze against Covid there is instead the extension of the vaccination obligation. The councilor for Health of Lazio Alessio D’Amato asked for it to be compulsory for all. Health Minister Roberto Speranza would also be in favor, but having the ok of the whole majority, above all that of the League, appears unlikely at the moment. Therefore, the idea of extending the vaccine obligation to other categories after those of Healthcare, School, Law Enforcement and Army is advancing. The Minister of Pa Renato Brunetta pushes for the compulsory nature of public employees so far excluded, that is, those who work in ministries and local authorities (about one million people), but the extension to private individuals who are in contact with the public is also evaluated like those who work in restaurants.
The measures for dinners and parties
There is also the possibility of introducing a maximum number of diners for the festive dinners or of adopting a night curfew at least for the New Year, also because several cities and regions are already canceling concerts and organized parties. From Lombardy to Sicily, governors and local administrators are signing ordinances to avoid the increasingly dangerous gatherings by extending the restrictions already in force along the shopping streets, particularly crowded during the holiday period, to the whole territory. Lazio is preparing for the obligation of outdoor masks everywhere and not just in crowded places. In the order of President Nicola Zingaretti, which will come into force on 23 December and will last for one month, the use of type Ffp2 protections on public transport will also be recommended.