Information from the Minister of Health Horace Schillaci in the Senate on the Covid situation following the emergency in China.
“A perfect storm has occurred in China“, Schillaci said. “A paradoxical unicum, the images of megalopolises have been an icon of the disease, impressive and unacceptable norms for a democracy. Only 4 million cases reported at the end of November. Few vaccinations in China, low level of protection of the vaccines used, few booster doses. Omicron has until recently circulated little with low hybrid immunity. Then this autumn the perfect storm”. “To strengthen the monitoring of the potential risks associated with the situation in China, I have convened the crisis unit for tomorrow as an observatory of the ministry on the matter”.
“The first laboratory results show the circulation of variants and sub-lineages already present in our territory and this is the most reassuring news”, Schillaci highlighted during the briefing, underlining that the information arriving from the Asian country is insufficient and unreliable.
“I signed the extension of the use of masks in health facilities and nursing homes until next April 30th“, the minister later announced.
“Connection with the EU is needed to limit the influx of positive passengers from the Asian countrywe have maintained relations with the ECDC for a continuous exchange of information for rapid measures and Italy participates in the early warning project”, Schillaci continued.
It has landed this morning, at 5.44, at Fiumicino airport, the flight from Chongqingof Hainan Airlines.
This is the first flight from China to the Roman airport, after yesterday’s decision by the Lazio Region Health Department to resume anti-Covid tests for passengers from China, and after Health Minister Schillaci has ordered the mandatory antigenic swabs for all passengers coming from China and transiting through Italy.
The tests at the Roman airport for travellers, immediately after disembarkation, in a dedicated area not accessible to unauthorized persons. In the mid-afternoon another flight from China is scheduled to arrive, coming from Hangzhou and operated by Air China, and in the evening the third and last flight of the day, from Wenzhou, with China Eastern Airlines.
Meanwhile, during his year-end press conference, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underlined that action was taken immediately and that the situation is under control, but tampons and masks are useful.
“Regarding what happened in China, we acted immediately in line with what we have asked for in the past: We have provided a swab for all those who come from China, but it is effective if it is taken from the whole EU. So we wrote to Brussels. We expect the EU to work in this direction. We need to understand if what’s coming is covered by vaccines or not. So far only Omicron has revealed itself. Right now he should be soothing. The Chinese case proves it: I work on responsibility and not on coercion: the situation is fairly under control”.
The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, meanwhile, he will report to the Senate at 3.30 pm and to the House at 5 pm. Yesterday the oppositions had asked for his information also in light of the ordinance on mandatory tampons for those arriving from China.
Off to swabs at airports with the order of the Minister of Health Schillaci in force from the day of publication in the Gazette until 31 January 2023. Anyone entering Italy from China must present certification of having undergone a molecular test in the 72 hours prior to entering our country, or, in the 48 hours before, to an antigen test. Obligation to undergo an antigen test upon arrival at the airport, or if this is not possible within 48 hours. In case of positivity, the obligation to immediately undergo the molecular test for sequencing and fiduciary isolation with final test.
Provided that no symptoms of COVID-19 arise, the ordinance reads, the provisions do not apply “to children under the age of six, crew members and traveling staff of means of transport of people and goods, officials and to agents, however named, of the European Union or of international organisations, diplomatic agents, administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions, consular officials and employees, military personnel, including those returning from international missions, and of the of Police, to the personnel of the Information System for the security of the Republic and of the Fire Brigade in the exercise of their functions”.
Source: Ansa
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