Coronavirus Forces Government To Ban Kissing And Handshakes

The government of Italy is planning to impose some stringent measures to curb the further spread of the Coronavirus disease in the country.

So far, more than 2,500 cases have been reported since COVID-19 hit the European nation with about 100 persons confirmed dead already.

As part of measures to combat the further spread of the disease, the Italian government noted on Wednesday that it will urge people to refrain from greeting each other by kissing or shaking hands to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

The country already has the third-highest number of deaths after China and Iran with the disease spreading faster and wider by the day.

Already, some sectors of the nation’s economy including its tourism and hospitality as well as sports have been hit by measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Several football matches have already been postponed in the country’s Serie A as part of measures to control the spread of the disease through crowd control.

Other measures to be approved by the government Wednesday, briefed in advance to the media, including what promises to be an unpopular plan to play all football matches without fans.

The government said on Wednesday that it is planning to impose further restrictions to protect the country’s 60 million population from the disease.

Multiple media sources said people will be advised to stay at least a metre (three feet) apart and to avoid crowded places whenever possible, and notably to avoid the traditional greetings of kissing on the cheeks or shaking hands.

Also, some other measures been planned by the government include instructions to cough and sneeze in a handkerchief to avoid hands coming in contact with “respiratory secretions”.

The country’s residents will also be urged to avoid sharing bottles and not to drink from the same cups and glasses.