The proclamation, issued by Mayor Antonio Torchia of Belcastro in the Calabria region, "orders" residents to avoid becoming ill, especially with conditions requiring emergency care.
Though intended to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Torchia explained that the decree underscores the town's severe lack of healthcare access.
Belcastro, with a population of roughly 1,300, half of whom are elderly, has a health center that is frequently closed. The mayor noted that on-call doctors are unavailable on weekends, holidays, and after normal working hours.
The closure of neighboring healthcare facilities and the 45-kilometer (28-mile) distance to the nearest emergency room in Catanzaro prompted the mayor's "urgent and non-deferrable act of a precautionary nature."
"This is not merely a provocation; it's a cry for help, a way to highlight an unacceptable situation," Torchia told the Corriere della Calabria, a local news outlet.
The mayor's decree further requests residents to avoid risky behaviors, minimize domestic accidents, limit outings, and refrain from excessive travel or sports.
It remains unclear how, or if, the ordinance will be enforced.
Torchia stated that the order aims to pressure regional authorities and health officials to take action. The ordinance will remain in effect until the town's public health center provides regular service.
"Spend a week in our village and see how safe you feel knowing that in a health emergency, your only hope is to reach Catanzaro in time," the mayor challenged local media. "Then tell me if this situation seems acceptable."
Calabria, a sparsely populated region, is among Italy's poorest. It grapples with desertification and brain drain, as young people leave rural areas for urban centers.
In 2021, over 75% of Calabria's towns—approximately 320—had fewer than 5,000 residents, raising concerns about the survival of some communities. Some towns are even offering financial incentives to attract new residents and combat population decline.
Belcastro's mayor acknowledges that many towns share similar healthcare access challenges.
"I am a drop in the ocean," Torchia admitted to broadcaster LaC News24. "The province of Catanzaro has 80 municipalities, and I believe most face the same problems."
