Italia in semi lockdown…
’New anti-Covid rules and regulations in force from midnight Sunday to 24 November.
- Bars, pubs, restaurants and gelaterie and pasticcerie must close at 18.00.
- Only four people to a table (except for groups from the same household).
- Home delivery of food is allowed until 24.00. No food can be eaten in the street outside the take-away or nearby.
- Going out of your Comune — ‘You are strongly recommended to stay in your Comune (using public or private transport) and not go into another Comune (or Region) where you are not resident or do not have a house. Exceptions to this are for work, study, health reasons or to carry out activities or use services not available in your Comune.
- Receiving people in your home who are not part of your household — You are strongly advised not to have people in your home who are not part of your household. Exceptions to this are for work or particularly urgent situations that may occur and to wear a mask when people are in your home who are not part of your household.
- No receptions or parties are allowed after religious ceremonies – No receptions and parties allowed either inside or outside after religious ceremonies such as weddings, communions and baptisms.
- Cinemas, theatres, concert halls and betting parlours – closed – Cinemas, theatres, concert halls and betting parlours of all sorts are to stay closed.
- Open air performances are not allowed.
- Museums do not have to close. (ALWAYS check if they are open anyway, and you will probably have to book).
- Swimming pools and gyms remain closed – Swimming pools, gyms, spas and wellness centres must close.
- Amateur ‘contact’ sport continues to be banned.
- Schools – The materna, elementare and medie schools remain open as before. In high schools, 75% of lessons will be ‘live’ in the school buildings and 25% online at home.
- Closing specific piazzas – Mayors may decide to close piazzas where crowds are likely to form, after 21.00.
- Live congresses, conferences, etc. are banned – Live congresses, conferences and similar are not allowed. Even local council meetings must take place online.
Source for translation Il Sole 24 Ore and Conte’s press conference at lunchtime Sunday.
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I can’t help but be annoyed by this. After all we went through in the spring. I lay this right at the feet of the Italians who all went on vacation and partied like the Virus was on vacation too. But most of all, the Authorities allowed too many visitors into Italy from other countries who were not doing enough to slow the virus in their OWN country to come here with absolutely no quarantine or restrictions. Now, because of their laxity we have to pay, yet again, the price and try to slow the Virus. 😡
Hi Melissa, great to hear from you! Yeah, it is a shame. They tried to normalize for the summer but I think it kind of backfired. I think they screwed up letting Europeans to come here with no restrictions. But they needed the money. The economy is terrible there are demonstrations in Naples and Rome again the new restrictions. But I think, on the whole the Italians we do it again. It’s not so bad as last time. So yes. We MUST and we will. And we WILL get through this! Thanks for your uplifting note!
Oh Nancy so sorry to hear this. I saw a story on the Today show this morning about rising cases in Italy. Of course it is everywhere, but like NY, you were at the worst spot and were able to contain it once, so can do it again. At least the Italian government is taking action, unlike Trumpty Dumpty who says “we are rounding the bend” (wtf!) And perhaps the Italians will be better at complying and enforcing than here in the states where people won’t be told what to do. It is very frustrating and everyone is so tired of making sacrifices, but we must and we will get through this. Hang in there!
I feel they screwed up on that front. They should have had restrictions on at least some countries who were not doing well, like the UK and Belgium. But you mentioned, Italy’s economy is hurting so they wanted the tourism. Anyway. Now we’ve got to try to slow it again. And we can do that. I hope this limited lockdown for a limited time will help and won’t need to get any stricter.
I’ve heard of demonstrations, mainly in Naples. But more down south places, like Sicily. People went through the strictest lockdown in the world for almost 3 months so understandably don’t want to do this. I understand, but I feel it is necessary at this point. We are still better than much of Europe. So we can catch it and slow it again. The semi lockdown isn’t nearly as restrictive (yet) as it was last time.
I think they should not have allowed Schengen countries to enter Italy without a 14-day quarantine. Other countries in Europe are no different than U.S. I understand the Italian government is concerned about the country’s economy, but enforcing strict regulations should be for everyone entering Italy regardless of the country you’re coming from.
My daughter went there in August (she is still there) and she took a rapid results covid test before she left NY (negative). She still made sure she quarantined for 2 weeks in Milan before she started traveling around (not that anyone called her or checked in on her). She is in Siracusa right now and she said some people were protesting (apparently they dont want to close down).
Hi Matthew, I am watching all the countries. It is worrisome. And the US most of all. I was watching an interview with the Chief of Staff for Trump and he let it slip the administration had given up trying to contain the virus. They are banking on a vaccine. That could be a long way off…and many deaths away. Very sad.
Hi Dave. We are much better off than France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and the UK at least. But still bad enough that it worries our leadership and we’ve been through it before so I think they want to nip it in the bud. Hope it works! Stay safe over there too.
Hi Nancy – I understand your frustrations, but at least your government is trying to do something about it. We’re facing tremendous spread of the virus here in the US too and our President still refuses to listen to experts and mocks those who do. It’s like a bad dream….
Hi Nancy. Not a good situation. Very disappointed seeing what’s happening all over Europe. And more so here in U.S. Percent positives is increasing as are deaths again. NYC positive rate is back over 1%, which is still relatively good, but trending in wrong direction. People need to not let guard down and remain vigilant. Stay safe.
I sure wish there was! Maybe after today they will get stricter? 🤞🤞
Amen, Nancy. I totally agree with you. In addition, the people in Umbertide have been particularly lax in wearing masks. By contrast I was in Rome this week and didn’t see one person without a mask. Not one! There seems to be no enforcement here in centro storico.