Additional restrictions are being introduced in Italy over the Christmas period in an attempt to ward off a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A nationwide lockdown will be in place from December 24 to January 6, with maximum restrictions on and before the main holidays and slightly relaxed measures on workdays during the festive season. The major concession to previously announced rules is that up to two adults may spend time in another person’s home, on the condition that they live in the same region, only do so once a day, and observe the 10pm-5am curfew.
Read the Italian Government information here (in Italian).
Florence at Christmas time
Is Tuscany becoming a yellow zone again?
Tuscany will return to yellow zone status, the lowest Covid-19 risk category, on Sunday, December 20. Tuscany will have relaxed measures for four days until the nationwide lockdown comes in place on Thursday, December 24. Persons will be allowed to travel outside their municipalities, as long as they remain within the region where they live. Eateries (bars, pubs, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and bakeries) may reopen for table service between 5am and 6pm. The nightly curfew will remain in place between 10pm and 5am.
Are there additional restrictions in Florence?
Yes, the City of Florence is introducing a one-way system for pedestrians along via Calzaiuoli, via Calimala, via Tornabuoni and via Pietrapiana on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 to avoid congregating on the last weekend before Christmas. Barriers will be positioned in these areas between 2 and 8pm on Saturday, December 19 and 10am and 8pm on Sunday, December 20. These streets will be heavily policed to ensure law enforcement, but no fines will be handed down. Via Gioberti will also be pedestrianized.
A no-loitering rule will also be enforced this weekend in piazza della Repubblica, piazza Santo Spirito and piazza Sant’Ambrogio; the rule does not extend to persons queuing to go into shops. No alcohol may be consumed in these areas of the city on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20.
Can I travel from one Italian region to another over the Christmas period?
No movement will be allowed between regions from December 21 to January 6, other than for work, health or necessity, or if you are a resident returning home.
So, there’s going to be a Christmas lockdown. What will that entail?
Lockdown measures will be in place from December 24 to January 6: stricter “red zone” measures will be in place from December 24 to 27, December 30 to January 3, and January 5 and 6, while slightly less “orange zone” restrictions will apply on December 28, 29 and 30 as well as on January 4.
A new concession from the Italian Government will allow up to two adults to spend time in one other household once a day, provided that the persons live in the same region and the visit takes place between 5am and 10pm; children under 14 are not included in the “head count”, neither are the disabled or persons who are not self-sufficient.
“Red zone” rules
You must remain at home unless you have a valid reason to be outside. “Red zone” measures will be in place on December 24, 25, 26, 27, 31 and January 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
- Shops are obliged to close, with the exception of food stores, newsagents, pharmacies, dry cleaners and hairdressers. Banks and post offices can remain open.
- Eateries (bars, pubs, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and bakeries) may only offer takeaway until 10pm and home deliveries (no time limit).
- You may only leave your home for work, necessity or health reasons. If you leave your home and are stopped by the police for a check, you must be able to justify your reasons using the self-declaration form and show a form of ID. If you are unable to do so, you risk a fine between 400 and 1,000 euro and, in extreme cases, criminal charges, and even imprisonment on the grounds of false declaration.
- During the festive season, you may leave your municipality within a radius of 30 kilometres if the population is less than 5,000, but you may not visit bigger towns and cities.
- It is recommended that you work from home, where possible, or take annual leave. If you have to go to work, you must show adequate documentation from your employer to justify your movements as well as a form of ID and the self-declaration form.
- The curfew between 10pm and 5am continues to apply.
- Returning to your home or place of residence is always permitted.
- You may only exercise individually on foot or by bike in the vicinity of your home. (Remember to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask unless you’re in an isolated area or are running.)
- You are permitted to leave your home to care for a family member or a friend who is not self-sufficient.
- Separated and divorced parents are allowed to move between municipalities to see their children if they are minors, in observance of the health regulations in place (taking into account quarantine, positive cases and the immune-suppressed).
- Up to two adults may spend time in another person’s home, on the condition that they live in the same region, only do so once a day, and observe the 10pm-5am curfew.
“Orange zone” rules
“Orange zone” restrictions will apply on December 28, 29 and 30 as well as on January 4.
- Eateries (bars, pubs, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and bakeries) may only offer takeaway until 10pm and home deliveries (no time limit). All other shops may open.
- You can only move around within your municipality, unless you need to leave for work, study, health, necessity or to use services not available in your area (such as post offices and supermarkets). If you need to leave your municipality for work, you must be able to show adequate documentation provided by your employer to prove the reason for your movements. If stopped by the police for a check, you will be required to fill in the self-declaration form, which can be downloaded here. You do not need require the self-certification form between 5am and 10pm if you remain in your municipality.
- You can leave your home for a walk or to exercise within your municipality. (Remember to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask unless you’re in an isolated area or are running.)
- The curfew between 10pm and 5am continues to apply.
- Returning to your home or place of residence is always allowed.
- You are permitted to leave your home to care for a family member or a friend who is not self-sufficient.
- Separated and divorced parents are allowed to move between municipalities to see their children if they are minors, in observance of the health regulations in place (taking into account quarantine, positive cases and the immune-suppressed).
- Up to two adults may spend time in another person’s home, on the condition that they live in the same region, only do so once a day, and observe the 10pm-5am curfew.
Article updated at 09:44, December 19, 2020
