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Reported by Alex Stambaugh and Barbie Latza Nadeau for CNN.

Rome (CNN) — A mayor in southern Italy has made an unconventional announcement: residents are forbidden from becoming ill.

In an edict from Mayor Antonio Torchia, the people of Belcastro, a town in the Calabria region, are advised against getting sick in any form that would require medical attention, especially emergencies.

Torchia explained to local media that while the decree is delivered with a touch of humor, it aims to underscore the town's poor healthcare facilities.

The mayor noted that Belcastro, a small community with around 1,300 residents—many of whom are elderly—often deals with a health center that is closed. Moreover, there are no doctors available on weekends, holidays, or outside of standard working hours.

He called for "immediate and urgent precautionary action" due to the closure of local medical services and the considerable distance to the nearest emergency room, which is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) away in Catanzaro.

“This is more than just a challenge; the ordinance is a plea for assistance, a spotlight on an intolerable situation,” Torchia told local news source Corriere della Calabria.

In his statement, the mayor advised residents to avoid “activities that might lead to risks and to prevent domestic accidents,” and to “minimize going out, refrain from traveling or engaging in sports, and focus on resting for the majority of the day.”

It is unclear if the decree will be enforced and, if so, how it will be put into action.

The mayor indicated that the order is meant to prompt regional authorities and health officials to address the ongoing issues. He stated that the ordinance will stay in effect until the town's public health center operates on a regular basis.

CNN has reached out to the Ministry of Health for comment.

“Spend a week in our charming village and experience the uncertainty of knowing that in a health crisis, your only option is to get to Catanzaro quickly,” he challenged local reporters during an interview. “Try it and then tell me if you think this situation is acceptable.”

The Calabria region, characterized by its sparse population, is among the least wealthy areas in Italy. It grapples with issues such as land degradation and a significant loss of its youth, as many young people leave rural areas in pursuit of opportunities in cities.

Over 75% of Calabria's towns—approximately 320—had fewer than 5,000 residents in 2021, raising concerns that some communities may vanish entirely without revitalization. Some towns have even begun offering incentives for people to move there in an attempt to reverse their population decline.

The mayor of Belcastro recognizes that many other towns are facing similar challenges with healthcare access.

“I am just a small part of a much larger issue,” Torchia told local broadcaster LaC News24. “The province of Catanzaro has 80 municipalities, and I believe most of them are dealing with the same issues.”