ROME – Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has copped criticism from all corners for his failure to mention the nearly 1,000 deaths in last night's address to the nation outlining the latest government decree, which includes a ban on inter-regional travel over Christmas.

 Despite hopeful signs in the past week that the infection curve was flattening, and the number of Covid hospitalisations, including intensive care, was declining, Thursday’s daily death toll hit a peak of 993, the highest since the pandemic began.

 Commenting on Mr Conte’s oversight, Former Democratic Party leader Walter Veltroni told La7’s Omnibus television programme that the government lacks a clear vision of the future.

  “Yesterday's figure, the thousand deaths, I hoped that the premier would talk about it last night, it is a very tragic situation," Veltroni said. "The political class must imagine the future, as happened after World War II, after the defeat of fascism, but it seems to me that this vision of the future is lacking."

 On social media, many are furious that Mr Conte spoke about his partner’s security detail, a card payment cashback scheme, shopping, travel and restaurants, but 'forgot' about the tragic death toll figure.

 “Obviously Conte in saying that everything is much better and that he was very good at reducing infections, has carefully avoided saying that there are now 1,000 deaths a day,” wrote Stefano on Twitter. “It seems it’s an irrelevant figure for him. In a definite third wave, will we still leave them roaming free?”

 The new measures, aimed at preventing a third wave of contagion, include a ban on travel between regions from Dec. 21 to Jan. 6; and a ban on travelling outside one's home town on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.

 cc