Abstract
This study assesses the effectiveness of political measures adopted in Italy for the containment of Covid-19 infection between February and June 2020. The first section outlines the main measures aimed at combating the viral spread through unprecedented restrictions in the “epidemic” phase and, subsequently, the subsequent easing of restrictions, in the “endemic” phase. In order to bring out the measures’ outcome and provide useful criteria for assessing their effectiveness, the quantitative evolution of both cases testing positive to swab tests and of fine issued to citizens by the police are analyzed. The second section discusses competence areas for State and Regions in bringing in legal measures needed to contain the epidemic. Our aim in this case is to estimate whether the delicate balance between the two administrative levels had an impact on the handling of lockdown and, consequently, also on contagion outcomes. Special focus will be placed on two key sectors that involve national and regional levels: namely healthcare protection and public transport services. Setbacks tied to the priority order of these two institutional levels emerge from evidential data on the period under consideration. Given the necessarily urgent modes of action typical of a health emergency, such setbacks are expected to have inhibited concerted action in the definition and subsequent application of political decisions.