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Tuesday, 05 January 2021 _Christmas holidays are almost over in Italy. It's been a particularly testing time for many as the country is struggling to recover from the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
A study by the National Farmers Association Coldiretti has found that about four million Italians have been seeking help, many for the first time, to put food on the table during these Christmas festivities.
The association has warned the number of people needing food support has doubled compared to last year.
About one-third of all people seeking help during the pandemic are first-time recipients, charitable groups have warned. In a reversal of usual trends, most are Italians and not foreign residents.
According to Coldiretti among the new poor in Italy there are those who have lost their jobs, small traders or artisans who were forced to shut down, people employed in the underground economy who do not enjoy special subsidies or public aid and have no savings or assets to fall back on.
The government is reportedly looking at extending the current restrictions until January 15 meaning that non-essential shops will be closed and bars and restaurants can only do take-away services during weekends. A major question is whether Italy's high schools will reopen as planned on January 7.
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