Covid today Sicily, vaccines and ordinance: rules for 55 municipalities

Sicily has avoided the yellow zone but the low percentage of vaccinated against Covid has prompted the governor Nello Musumeci to issue an ordinance with new rules and measures concerning 55 municipalities. Sicily today, 22 August 2021, recorded 1,350 new coronavirus infections and another 6 deaths. The municipalities affected by the ordinance have a low percentage of vaccinated people, less than 60 percent of the total vaccine population. Not only that, they have an incidence of infections in the seven days (13-19 August) of more than 150 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants. The ordinance provides for a permanent table between Asp and mayors to reach the targets of the immunized, the use of outdoor masks in the contexts of the presence of many citizens (such as the streets) and which reaffirms the prohibition of gathering in public and containment measures for private events (buffer in the preceding 48 hours). For the municipalities of Barrafranca and Niscemi, moreover, on the proposal of the competent Asps, the heaviest measure of the ‘orange zone’ (according to the provisions of national provisions) was ordered in light of the worrying number of infections. “I had announced a regional measure that sought to maintain the right balance between the objectives of protecting public health and the right of economic activities to operate safely. With this ordinance we are putting in place an additional tool with men and means available to a an important number of Municipalities, involving the mayors also in their role as local health authorities “, says Governor Nello Musumeci.” These – adds the President of the Region – are painful but reasoned measures, which once again entrust the indispensable collaboration of the local institutions and health workers have the task of protecting our population. In these days we had the necessary technical talks with the various authorities that operate in the containment of the epidemic and I am convinced that a regional decision that arises in the wake of of the attitude held by the Sicilian government in all these months “.” The tourist season in Sicily – continues Musumeci – has recorded record numbers and it is quite natural that the increase in cases is also recorded for this promiscuity, as we have constantly been able to observe in recent days, together with a certain drop in tension that has been palpable in many areas of the island. However, I imagine that no Sicilian wants to run the risk of further burdens or, worse, of a new lockdown: our economy does not want it and cannot afford it. My appeal, therefore, is always the same: getting vaccinated is a civic duty, which is why we are close to the municipalities and all our communities. This model, which begins with the 55 municipalities, can also be adopted in other cases. Over three million Sicilians have had the vaccine. But that’s not enough. How unfair it would be to make everyone pay the hard price of those who do not want to get vaccinated! For us – concludes the governor – it is not just a health priority, because – as the president of Confindustria says – protecting health means protecting work “.” The measures provided for by the ordinance of the president of the Region – declared the regional councilor of Salute, Ruggero Razza – are a great opportunity for the municipalities identified because they will allow, in the relationship of loyal collaboration with the mayors, to multiply their efforts for vaccination. It is a model that can also be strengthened in other centers with a lower percentage of contagion, but with a number of immune citizens not yet adequate to the national targets “. These are the municipalities affected by the provision, grouped by territory: in the Agrigento area: Licata, Porto Empedocle, Racalmuto, Ravanusa; in Nisseno: Butera, Gela, Mazzarino, Niscemi (orange zone), Riesi; in Catania: Aci Castello, Castel di Iudica, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Grammichele, Gravina di Catania, Mascalucia, Mazzarrone, Motta Sant ‘Anastasia, Palagonia, Ramacca, San Cono, San Michele di Ganzaria, San Pietro Clarenza, Valverde, Viagrande; in Ennese: Barrafranca (orange area), Piazza Armerina, Pietraperzia; in Messina: Pace del Mela, Rodì Milici, San Filippo del Mela, Santa Lucia del Mela, Villafranca Tirrena; in Palermo: Capaci, Cinisi, Terrasini; in Ragusa: Acate, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Comiso, Ispica, Vittoria; in Syracuse: Augusta, Avola, Carlentini, Francofonte, Lentini, Noto, Pachino , Priolo Gargallo, Rosolini, Solarino; in the Trapani area: Campobello di Mazara, Castellammare del Golfo, Castelvetrano, Custonaci, Pantelleria.