Italy’s Arvedi unaffected by lockdown

Italian steel producer Arvedi said its production and logistics are unaffected by the lockdown imposed by the Italian government in 15 provinces in the north of the country, including Lombardy.

Authorities yesterday enforced restrictions on travel in and out of the affected regions, putting a quarter of the country's population under quarantine. Arvedi's flagship Cremona steelworks are located in Lombardy. A number of other producers are also based in the locked down regions, with northern Italy the hub of the country's industrial production.

But the government yesterday said that "any applicability of the measure to the transit and transport of goods and to the entire production chain from and to the indicated areas is excluded".

Arvedi highlighted that "goods can enter and leave the affected territories" and that "the limitations introduced do not prohibit travel for proven work reasons". Interested parties will be able to prove the business reason for the move by any means, including a declaration that can be made to the police in case of any checks," the company added.

The government plans to have the restrictions in place at least until 3 April.

Market discussions during the initial stages of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy indicated that Arvedi's production and deliveries were affected. But on 26 February the steel producer confirmed that its operations were unaffected.

By Lora Stoyanova

source: Argus Media