Health chief Walter Ricciardi has confirmed that there is a proposal for Serie A matches to be played in the “centre-south” of Italy.
Whereas the north is considered one of the epicentres of the coronavirus pandemic, the central and southern areas have been affected on only a very small scale.
Therefore, Ricciardi – a World Health Organisation member and an advisor to the Italian Olympic Committee – believes the Serie A season could resume in just those regions.
Health chief Walter Ricciardi has confirmed that there is a proposal for Serie A matches to be played in the “centre-south” of Italy.
Whereas the north is considered one of the epicentres of the coronavirus pandemic, the central and southern areas have been affected on only a very small scale.
Therefore, Ricciardi – a World Health Organisation member and an advisor to the Italian Olympic Committee – believes the Serie A season could resume in just those regions.
“You have to evaluate the scenario in two weeks because that’s the incubation period of the virus,” he told Radio Punto Nuovo.
“The situation is getting better in many Italian regions, but not in all of them. In Lombardy there’s still a worrying scenario being played out. A generic indication can’t be given.
“At the start of May we’ll be able to make suggestions by looking at the situation, but it’s still a month at risk, especially in some regions. It’ll remain an interlocutory period.
“This virus will continue to spread until a vaccine is found and that’s how it affects citizens, as well as footballers and staff: we must protect everyone.
“As for the protocol [to resume football], there are several possibilities. It’s definitely geared towards completing the season, which everyone wants.
“Italy’s not all the same in terms of infection. In the centre-south there hasn’t been that terrible explosion seen in the north.
“But people communicate and travel. In some parts of the country, this can’t be done yet. There are areas where there are still 100+ deaths per day.
“Differentiating the areas by level of risk is right, so we’re proposing to play in the centre-south because it makes no sense to ban activities where there are no cases such as Basilicata.
“Campania reacted very well, promptly. Its people understood the situation well and reacted on time, Puglia a little less so.
“The second and third waves can be more dangerous than the first: we can’t afford them to happen.
“What we’ll suggest is to have different measures according to the geographical areas.”