Italy’s coronavirus restrictions will start to be relaxed from next Monday, April 26, Italy’s government confirmed on Wednesday, April 21.
However, as is the case as France eases lockdown rules, a curfew stays in force, in Italy from 22:00.
Most regions will move from ‘orange’ to ‘yellow,’ and cafes, bars and restaurants can reopen outdoors for lunch and dinner. Cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues will also be allowed to reopen, but at half capacity and with an upper limit of 1,000.
Liguria will be in the yellow zone from April 26.
Shopping centres will be allowed to reopen from May 15 as will outdoor swimming pools.
On June 1 another stage will see bars and restaurants allowed to serve customers indoors, but only from 05:00 until 18:00.
Significantly, two of the worst-hit regions, centred on Rome and Milan, will become yellow zones and so benefit from the relaxations.
However, as in France, the pandemic continues to take a toll of more than 300 people every day and the vaccine rollout has been marked by large-scale abuse and inefficiency. On Wednesday, April 21, Italy recorded 13,844 new cases and 364 new deaths.
FILE PHOTO: La dolce vita Reuters
