Corona Pandemic: Italy bans travel at Christmas



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Italy further strengthened the measures of the crown. Overnight, the government decided to tighten restrictions from Christmas to the New Year. It is therefore forbidden to travel to other regions.

Italians should stay home for Christmas and New Year. In the fight against the coronavirus, the government is severely restricting freedom of movement during the Christmas period until the new year. The decision was taken overnight by the cabinet of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. With the tightening of travel bans until January 6, Rome wants to prevent the number of infections from rising again. The 60 million Italians are discouraged from leaving in large numbers for the Christmas holidays or from visiting distant relatives.

Do not travel to other regions

Specifically, this means that from 21 December it is forbidden to travel between the regions of Italy. People cannot therefore go to their holiday apartments on the coast or in the mountains. The ban is valid until January 6th. Exceptions are possible for work, for health reasons and in other emergencies. The return to the place of main residence is however allowed.

The main objective of these measures is to prevent the large gatherings of families and friends that are common in Italy during the Christmas holidays. The hotels are still open, but can only accept guests from their region.

Don’t leave town at Christmas

The reins tighten at Christmas and New Year: on 25th, 26th December and 1st January it is forbidden to move outside the city. Even close relatives can only be visited if they live in the same community. Exceptions are only possible if someone is in poor health and needs support.

The ski slopes in Italy will also be closed at Christmas and New Year. The government extended the related regulation by 50 days. In order for Italians not to go abroad for their ski holidays, a quarantine obligation for returnees must be introduced.

Bars and restaurants across the country have yet to close at 6pm, in the so-called red zones it’s not allowed to open at all.

“The third wave threatens”

There is currently a partial blockade in Italy with three corona risk zones. In the red zones, citizens must stay at home if possible. So far, however, people have been allowed to travel freely between the lower risk areas, the yellow zones. According to Health Minister Roberto Speranza, this type of classification should in principle be maintained. However, additional special arrangements are permitted during the Christmas period.

Speranza said in parliament Wednesday that Italy had threatened “a third wave” in January and February without tightening Christmas restrictions. A new emergency decree with further regulations was still in the works in the center-left government. Italy has officially counted more than 1.6 million corona infections so far.

With information from Jörg Seisselberg, ARD-Studio Rome


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