Italian mayor imposes ban on illness

The mayor of a small town in central Italy has issued a controversial official edict ordering citizens not to fall ill. Alberto Bambini, left-wing mayor of Acquapendente, said he wanted to draw attention to a decision by the regional governor to close the town's hospital.

From 1 January 2011, the town will have little more than emergency care. The mayor said people should avoid any sickness or disease needing hospital treatment, particularly if urgent.



Acknowledging he was acting "provocatively", he warned that anyone who falls foul of the town by-law did so "under penalty of being forcibly transported to the Belcolle Hospital" some 30 miles away, "or of being fined in proportion to the seriousness of their pathology or disease".

Mr Bambini has also ordered fellow citizens to avoid any behaviour that could jeopardise their health, advising them not to leave their homes too often or practise any sport. He said he was aiming to "turn the spotlight on the problems citizens in this area have".