Rome, March 30 (AFP/APP):Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government prepared Italians for a “very long” lockdown Sunday that would only be lifted gradually despite its economic hardship and traumatic impact on daily lives. The message from ministers and health officials came as Italy’s world-topping toll rose by 756 — well bellow Friday’s record of 969 — and the rate of coronavirus infections slowed to under six percent for the first time. Yet the government appeared more focused on the nearing April 3 deadline to lift a national lockdown that had never been tried by a Western democracy — and has since been replicated across Europe and the United States. “The measures expiring on April 3 will inevitably be extended,” Regional Affairs Minister Francesco Boccia told Italy’s Sky TG24 television. “I think that, at the moment, talking about re-opening is inappropriate and irresponsible. “We all want to go back to normal. But we will have to do it by turning on one switch at a time.” Italy is effectively sacrificing almost all forms of business activity to fight the pandemic that first emerged in China last year. Deputy Finance Minister Laura Castelli said that the government’s initial 25 billion euro ($28 billion) … Continue reading Italy’s ‘very long’ lockdown to end gradually