Italy takes 'practical incentive' to slow spread of Covid-19
July 24, 2021, 10:08 am

Italy takes 'practical incentive' to slow spread of Covid-19

Italy flag

The Xinhua reported, citing analysts as saying Italy's decision to make the "green pass" coronavirus health certificate mandatory in certain settings starting next month is meant to be a practical incentive as the country works to curb the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant. Italy

Mario Draghi, Italy's prime minister, announced on Thursday that the new rules, in effect from Aug. 6, will mandate the "green pass" for anyone over the age of 12 dining or drinking inside a restaurant or bar, or for admission to sports facilities, cinemas, concerts, gyms and other crowded locations.

The xinhua said according to analysts, the measures serve multiple purposes.

"There is a practical aspect to the decision in that limiting crowded indoor spaces will help slow the spread of the virus," Arianna Montanari, a sociologist at Rome's La Sapienza University, told Xinhua.

Montanari said: "But it will also act as an incentive for people who have not been vaccinated to do so."

Draghi made a similar point, telling reporters that he urges "all Italians to get vaccinated and to do so right away. Without vaccinations, we'll have to close everything again."

Italy's vaccine rollout is among the most successful in Europe. As of Friday, just over 29 million people have been fully vaccinated in Italy, equal to 54.1 percent of the population over the age of 12. But in recent weeks, the vaccination progress has slowed.

Italy's "green pass" is part of a wider strategy to avoid the wholesale lockdowns experienced last year during the first big wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pass is available to residents who have had at least one vaccine dose; have had a negative coronavirus test within the previous 48 hours; or have recently recovered from COVID-19.

Venues that will require the "green pass" will be equipped with a device that will allow them to check the validity of the digital or printed pass while keeping the holder's personal health status data inaccessible.

According to virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco, director of Milan's Galeazzi Institute of Hospitalization and Scientific Care, the "green pass" strategy and other changes Draghi has announced are part of what he called a "pragmatic, calculated risk" on the part of the government.

"The idea is that by making certain changes the government can slow the spread of the virus without major lockdowns like those last year," Pregliasco told Xinhua. "The goal is to find a balance between many factors."

Pregliasco predicted that requiring the "green pass" for so many activities will be effective in convincing some people who have so far decided against being vaccinated to change their minds.

"I for one will be proud to show my 'green pass' to be able to eat inside a restaurant," Pregliasco said. "Having the pass will be proof that I have done what I can to protect not only myself but also my family and the people around me. Getting vaccinated should be each Italian's patriotic obligation," he said.

The main coronavirus indicators in Italy are worsening, though they remain relatively strong.

The Ministry of Health reported 5,143 new infections on Friday, the second consecutive day with more than 5,000 cases, a level not seen since May.

But the daily infection rate is still well below peaks of more than 25,000 from March.

With 17 new deaths over the 24-hour period ending on Friday, the one-day mortality rate has still not topped 50 since late June, and it remains well below its peak of nearly 1,000 from December 2020.

levant

Source: xinhua

Floods cause 'destruction of historic proportions' to Germany's rail infrastructure Cyprus and Lebanon sign MoU on cooperation in energy sector

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.