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The mayor of Belcastro in Calabria, southern Italy, has urged citizens to avoid activities that could lead to injuries or illnesses, such as travelling, playing sports, or engaging in risky behaviour
Belcastro is home to approximately 1,300 residents, majority of whom are elderly. (PTI)
You may have heard of some strange rules or unique bans in various countries, but in the picturesque city of Belcastro in Calabria, southern Italy, falling ill has been officially prohibited.
This unusual decree, issued by Mayor Antonio Torchia, has drawn significant attention. According to the mayor’s announcement, residents are forbidden from getting sick, particularly with illnesses that require medical attention.
According to CNN, the mayor’s intention behind this seemingly absurd order is to highlight the dire state of healthcare services in the town. Belcastro, home to around 1,300 residents, most of whom are elderly, faces severe healthcare challenges.
The town’s sole health centre frequently remains closed, and accessing medical care during holidays, emergencies, or night-time is nearly impossible. The nearest emergency facility is located 45 km away in Catanzaro. Mayor Torchia remarked, “We take this order as a joke, but it aims to shed light on a serious issue.”
The mayor has urged citizens to avoid activities that could lead to injuries or illnesses, such as travelling, playing sports, or engaging in risky behaviour. However, it remains unclear how this order will be enforced. The order will remain in place until the local health centre begins operating consistently.
When questioned about the logic behind the order, the mayor invited people to stay in the village for a week. “By staying here, you will realise for yourself that if there is a medical emergency, reaching Catanzaro on time is the only hope. Try this and then tell me if you think this situation is acceptable,” he said.
Belcastro is one of the poorest areas in Italy, with a declining population as younger generations migrate to urban centres. This trend has left the region predominantly inhabited by elderly residents.
In 2021, over 75% of Calabria’s 320 towns had populations under 5,000. Some towns have even resorted to offering monetary incentives to attract new residents, hoping to prevent these areas from becoming completely deserted.
