ROVERETO, Italy — Italian retreading equipment manufacturer Marangoni S.p.A. is continuing to operate in the face of strictures set by the Italian government to arrest the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
"Our company's activities in Italy are fundamental to support essential services such as goods and people transportation," Marangoni said in a statement issued from its headquarters in the northern Italian town of Rovereto.
"For this reason, despite the complexity of a situation that is changing all the time, Marangoni is not stopping and is acting with commitment and determination to continue to produce," the company said.
Marangoni is in total compliance with the March 11 decree issued by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte that essentially placed the whole nation on lockdown.
"The company will continue to satisfy our customers' needs while respecting the measures provided by the responsible authorities," Marangoni said.
Marangoni also has arranged for all employees who can work remotely to work from home, the company said.
To date, Italy is the European country hardest hit by the coronavirus, and second only to China as the nation most affected by the pandemic.
As of March 12, nearly 12,500 Italians had been diagnosed with the virus, and at least 1,016 had died.
In his decree, Mr. Conte advised Italians not to travel beyond their home areas. He ordered all schools to be closed, and also all retail businesses except for groceries and pharmacies.