An ordinance signed on April 29 comes into effect from April 30 and seeks to create “livable squares”: as Mayor Dario Nardella commented, “Public places must be respected”.
The ordinance prevents gatherings on weekends with a ban on loitering in three areas of the center, alcohol allowed only at tables, with a ban on consumption on the steps and in the churchyard of Santo Spirito to safeguard the Basilica in light of recent large groups congregating. The rules will be in place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4-10pm.
Rules to prevent crowding in popular piazzas such as Santo Spirito
The rules are as follows, in place from 4-10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays:
Alcoholic beverages can not be consumed in the streets of the places listed below, only at the tables of venues for consumption.
Ban on consumption of any food and drink on the steps and in the churchyard of the Basilica of Santo Spirito.
The sale of take-away alcoholic beverages is only allowed in closed bottles, cans, or in other closed containers.
The violation of these rules will result in a fine ranging from 400 to 1000 euro.
The rules apply to the following places, and their surrounding areas:
1) piazza Cesare Beccaria (excluded), borgo La Croce, piazza Sant’Ambrogio, via Pietrapiana, via Giuseppe Verdi, via dell’Agnolo, viale della Giovine Italia (excluded)
2) piazza Santo Spirito, via dei Michelozzi (from piazza Santo Spirito towards borgo Tegolaio), via del Presto di San Martino (stretch between borgo Tegolaio and via de ‘Coverelli), including the churchyard and the staircase in front of the Basilica of Santo Spirito, for which the more extensive ban on the consumption of food and drink also applies.
3) piazza Strozzi, via degli Anselmi, via dei Sassetti, piazza dei Davanzati, via Pellicceria, piazza di Parte Guelfa, piazza della Repubblica, via dei Brunelleschi, via di Porta Rossa (stretch between via Calimala and via Monalda), via Calimala (stretch between via di Porta Rossa and piazza della Repubblica), via dei Lamberti (stretch between via Pellicceria and via Calimala), via dei Cavalieri and via San Miniato tra le Torri
