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Italy has further toughened the crown’s measures. Overnight, the government decided to tighten restrictions on Christmas and New Years. Then it is forbidden to travel to other regions.
Italians are supposed to stay home for Christmas and New Years. In the fight against the coronavirus, the government is severely restricting freedom of movement during Christmas and the New Year. The decision was made by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s cabinet overnight. With strict travel bans until January 6, Rome wants to prevent the number of infections from rising again. The 60 million Italians must be deterred from leaving in large numbers for the Christmas holidays or visiting distant relatives.
Do not travel to other regions
Specifically, this means that as of December 21, travel between regions of Italy is prohibited. Then people are not allowed to go to their holiday apartments on the coast or in the mountains. The ban is valid until January 6. Exceptions are possible for work, health, and other emergencies. Return to main place of residence is still permitted.
The main objective of these measures is to avoid the large gatherings of family and friends that are common in Italy during the Christmas holidays. The hotels are still open, but can only accept guests from their own region.
Don’t leave town at Christmas
The reins are tightened even more at Christmas and New Years: on December 25, 26 and January 1 it is forbidden to leave your city. Close relatives can also be visited only if they live in the same community. Exceptions are only possible if someone is in poor health and needs support.
Italy’s ski slopes will also be closed during Christmas and New Years. The government has extended the relevant regulation for 50 days. In order for Italians not to go abroad during their skiing holidays, a quarantine obligation will be introduced for returnees.
Bars and restaurants across the country still have to close at 6pm, in so-called red zones they are not allowed to open at all.
“Third wave threatens”
There is currently a partial lockdown in Italy with three corona risk zones. In red zones, citizens should stay home if possible. However, until now people have been allowed to travel freely between the lower risk areas, the yellow zones. According to the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, this type of classification should in principle be maintained. However, more special regulations are allowed during Christmas.
Speranza had said in parliament on Wednesday that Italy was threatening “a third wave” in January and February with no major Christmas restrictions. A new emergency decree with more regulations was still in the works in the center-left government. Italy has officially counted more than 1.6 million corona infections so far.
With information from Jörg Seisselberg, ARD-Studio Rome
