The number of positive cases is still decreasing while the government is thinking of possible movements between municipalities on public holidays. Meanwhile, Pope Francis has already moved the hours of Christmas masses in compliance with the anti-Covid measures. As for the infections, in the last 24 hours, 16.999 new positive cases have been recorded (yesterday 12.756), while the new deaths are 887 (yesterday 499). Overall, the currently positive cases are 696.527, 13.988 fewer than yesterday.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte would have opened a reflection on the opportunity to expand the possibilities of moving between municipalities at Christmas. This is what the national agencies broadcast this afternoon. The ban on leaving the municipality in which you are located is scheduled for 25 and 26 December and 1 January. The reflection opened by Conte, again according to the rumors that are circulating in Parliament, could lead to changing the decree law on Covid. Or to an update of the Faq (Frequently Asked Questions - frequently asked questions) of the government. Therefore an extensive interpretation would be made of the situations of need that justify the move between municipalities.
The Pope changes the hours of the Christmas masses
Due to the Covid emergency, Pope Francis will bring forward the Christmas Eve mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The celebration will be held on the evening of Thursday 24 December, at 19.30 pm, two hours before the usual time (21.30 pm) always maintained by the pontiff up to now. The blessing has also been changed 'Urbi et Orbi ' on Christmas day at 12, which will take place in the Basilica and not from the central loggia.
Unchanged the times of Te Deum on December 31, at 17pm in the Basilica and masses on January XNUMX and the Epiphany. Both are scheduled at 10 always in San Pietro. The Vatican Press Office reiterates that “participation in the celebrations will be very limited. Furthermore, the faithful participating in the celebrations will be identified according to the methods used in recent months. That is, in compliance with the protection measures provided and subject to changes due to the health situation ".
In Italy the positives are decreasing and the EU starts the recovery plan
European Council today and tomorrow to give the green light to the largest economic recovery plan in the history of the continent: the Next generation EU. “I believe - said EU Commissioner Paolo Getiloni - that everyone is aware of the importance of this European match and of the need for Italy, like other countries, to converge on the priorities and methods of implementing the Recovery. There are currently no deadlines, there is only the need to focus on priorities and implementation mechanisms. We know that once the objectives have been set, it is also necessary to have the ability to meet the agreed deadlines and deadlines. The commission is ready for dialogue as soon as the plan is sent to us.
But - underlines Gentiloni - the dialogue has already begun, we are talking with the various structures of the Italian government ”. “I think - said Gentiloni - that it is a very useful proposal because it can finally make us take a step forward. I do not think the understanding that the Council reached with the European Parliament has been affected in the slightest and I believe that it will be the leaders who will evaluate it. Certainly, a positive assessment could pave the way for the start of the ratification process and therefore for the implementation of Next Generation Eu".
