The Italian region Venice will fine people who violate quarantine rules up to €1,000. The fresh outbreak of COVID-19 in the north-eastern region of the country made the local authorities to restrict the rules.
Venice authorities have issued a new ordinance on Monday, the document set a fine of €1,000 for anyone who breaks quarantine rules in the region. As regional governor Luca Zaia said, those who violate the new health protocol should learn the lesson, even if they have tested negative for the novel pathogen.
Last week, the north-eastern region around Venice has seen infections rise in the past week in an outbreak traced back to a resident who returned from an overseas trip and refused to go to hospital despite showing symptoms.
Since Monday, if someone is caught leaving isolation to go to work, their employer is liable to pay €1,000 for every employee exposed. Meantime, the health authorities are obliged to report anyone who tests positive but refuses to isolate to the police for possible criminal charges.
Venice approved a 14-day quarantine for visitors from outside the EU, Schengen Zone or UK
As new rules say, a 14-day quarantine is obligatory for anyone who enters Veneto from outside the EU, Schengen Zone or UK.
People who come into contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus, or who show symptoms of being sick with Covid-19, must also self-isolate for at least two weeks.
On top of quarantining, people who travel for work must test negative twice before being allowed to return to their workplace as normal.
While the new rules are only applicable in Veneto, Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza has said that he is considering allowing hospitals to section people who refuse to be admitted for Covid-19.
Currently people who test positive can be fined up to €5,000 and jailed for up to six months for failing to quarantine, but there is no way to force them to go to hospital if they refuse.
