Burj Khalifa displays ‘We are with you’ in solidarity with Italians

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest skyscraper shined tonight with the colours of the Italian flag and the words "We are with you", as a sign of solidarity and friendship with Italy in the common challenge to overcome the coronavirus.

Italy approved 25 billion euros ($28 billion) of spending measures on Monday to help the fragile economy survive the onslaught of coronavirus as the death toll in Europe's worst-affected country jumped above 2,000.

The decree throws a financial lifeline to families and firms who face hardship after the government last week ordered a draconian lockdown on the entire country to stem the contagion.

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"This is a weighty economic package. We never thought we could face this flood with mops and buckets," Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told a news conference.

Underscoring the challenge confronting Italy, the Civil Protection agency said the death toll had jumped 349 in the last 24 hours to 2,158, a rise of 19%.

Analysts say the crisis will plunge Italy into its fourth recession in just 12 years and batter company balance sheets. The Milan bourse lost a further 6% on Monday, meaning it has now fallen 40% in barely three weeks.

The government said it would freeze any attempts by companies to sack staff from Feb. 23 and increased funds to help firms pay workers temporarily idled due to the lockdown.