An outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 in Italy ☢ — the largest outside of Asia — could deal a fatal blow to the already suffering economy, which has lagged behind all other EU members.
Due to the fact that the two most productive region of the country is blocked to curb the spread of the virus, the economic engine of Italy paralyzed.
The outbreak affects two of the most productive region of Italy — Veneto and Lombardy.
Together, these two regions represent one third of the national GDP and 40 percent of the country’s exports. Temporary closure of companies, factories, schools, universities and museums, along with the cancellation of sporting events will have dire consequences for the economy of Italy.
The economy has declined over the last three months of 2019, and if the economic growth will continue to slow as it is, appears to be associated with the current emergency measures, the country will enter the so-called “technical recession” — accept, when the growth rate of GDP is negative for two consecutive quarters or more.
