Italian media leaked that the closure of the city made a large number of people flee overnight
The death rate of novel coronavirus pneumonia is the highest in the world. The Italy government officially announced a large-scale city closure order on the morning of 8, limiting the entry and exit of 15 provinces in northern Lombardia. Nearly a quarter of the country's population and about 16 million people were affected.
As the local media leaked the contents of the ban in advance, panicked people in some areas poured into the railway station the night before and hurriedly "fled" before the city closure order took effect at midnight, causing chaos.
Health experts admit that there may already be infected people among these people. The dense space and personnel outflow such as trains are counterproductive to the epidemic prevention work, and the government and media who criticize the leaked information "have no sense of responsibility".
The local government in southern Italy is in full readiness to 'keep an eye on' passengers from the north at the railway station. Emiliano, President of Puglia region, asked them to "turn around immediately" and "you are sending the virus to the lungs of brothers and sisters, grandparents, uncles, cousins and parents."
Novel coronavirus pneumonia was diagnosed in 1247 cases by the Ministry of health in Italy at 18 o'clock in March 7th, and 5883 cases were diagnosed and 233 died. This is the largest single day increase since the spread of the epidemic in Italy for two weeks. The northern Lombardy region was diagnosed as the hardest hit area of the epidemic with 3420 cases.
According to the guardian and other media, shortly after the notification, the Italian government made a decision to sign the draft emergency City closure decree. However, before it was handed over to the local government for signature and entry into force, Corriere della Sera published by Milan leaked the draft decree in advance: Lombardy will be completely closed at midnight, and 11 provinces such as Venice and Padova will be closed until April 3.
After the news spread, many people in relevant areas began to panic. Padua, in the Veneto region, was once in chaos. Bars and restaurants were scattered, and the railway station was crowded with people carrying suitcases, masks and gloves.
Thomas, a local Associated Press reporter, wrote that while eating dinner, he suddenly received a text message warning: "the last train leaves at 11:31. The ban will take effect at midnight. Hurry up!"
According to his description, in the railway station, people crowded into the door with big luggage and looked serious. " It's like the last flight leaving Saigon. "
Salvini, former Italian Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the 'Northern League' political party, released a video on social media showing dozens of passengers hurrying down the stairs with their luggage.
He explained that this is the Garibaldi railway station in Milan. After learning of the government's ban, a large number of people wanted to squeeze into the last train and leave Lombardy on Saturday night.