The Italian prime minister has issued a new set of rules regarding Covid-19 conduct, which enter into force today.
Valid until October 7, many of the regulations have simply been extended for a longer period of time, such as the wearing of face protection; physical distancing; mandatory swab testing for travellers from Spain, Greece, Croatia and Malta; and the closure of nightclubs and stadiums. New rules however apply for the reunion of couples living in different countries who have been forced to spend months apart.
Face protection and physical distancing
Florence, May 1, 2020 / Ph. Francesco Spighi
Nothing has changed in this month’s legislation regarding the wearing of masks and physical distancing. Persons are advised to maintain physical distancing of one metre and face protection must be worn indoors in places open to the public, including on public transportation, and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Face protection must also be worn between 6pm and 6am in the vicinity of bars, restaurants and any outdoor areas prone to crowding.
Nightclubs, stadiums and public transport
Ph. @acffiorentina
The new September decree means that nightclubs and stadiums will remain closed until at least October 7. Face coverings must continue to be worn on public transport, which cannot operate at a capacity exceeding 80 per cent.
Schools
Rules regarding the reopening of schools are set out in an appendix to the decree, which consists of operating instructions drawn up by Italian National Health Institute and Ministry of Health.
Couples living in different countries
Ph. @is.but.a.dream
Unmarried couples living in different countries (the 17 countries at high risk of Covid-19) can now be reunited if one of the partners resides in Italy. The new decree states that self-certification is needed, in which the travelling partner declares to be in a stable relationship and has an emotional bond with the partner living in Italy. The document will be communicated to the local health authority in Italy and a 14-day mandatory quarantine period must be observed. The measure applies to binational couples, whereby one of the partners is travelling from a country that is currently on Italy’s travel blacklist (Armenia, Bahrein, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Colombia). The same rules apply for other foreign travel into Italy (see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation website): mandatory quarantine for travellers from outside the EU, non-Schengen zone, from Romania and Bulgaria; and mandatory swab testing for travellers returning from Spain, Greece, Croatia and Malta. Find out how to be tested in Florence here.
