13/05/2020
COVID news - We are inching towards new rules here in Italy. There is not yet an official decree, but these are some updates.
May 18 is the next date for things to open up further. Considering how good the numbers are so far (daily number of deaths falling, the daily number of recoveries rising, etc), we can PROBABLY expect:
* Museums, libraries, and archives will open (not sure which museums, what hours, etc. Also not sure about archeological sites.)
*Shops - malls will not yet reopen, but city shops will. They will likely have opening hours like 11am - 7:30pm, with the possibility to stay open until 9pm.
*Bars and restaurants - this is not official yet but it seems that rather than waiting for the June 1 date as originally proposed, bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen from Monday, May 18. There will be strict protocols in place.
*Hairdressers, nail salons, beauty centers - this is also not yet official, but as with bars and restaurants, these businesses were originally set to be allowed to open June 1, but now it seems likely they will reopen May 18. They will have hours beginning at 11am.
*Churches - they have already been open but until May 4, no group rituals were allowed. From May 4, funerals have been allowed with a maximum of 15 participants. And supposedly as of Monday, May 18 masses and weddings will be allowed.
*BEACH establishments - these are also likely to reopen.
*NO MORE AUTO-CERTIFICATION.
* It will be possible freely visit anyone, not just close relatives.
FROM JUNE 1 - the government are thinking about to travel across different regions within Italy.
The government doesn’t yet give news about sports, gyms, pools, schools.
All of the above is still IN THE WORKS. We’re waiting for an official decree, which should be this weekend.
Also note that for anything to reopen, 1) there will be strict protocols to follow, and 2) the government will continue to monitor the situation and will reserve the option to tighten restrictions again if infections begin to rise sharply within a given region. 3) Each region may impose looser or stricter rules.
