The novel Coronavirus outbreak has affected all countries of the world, some more than others, with the result of a general slowdown in the global economy. One of the countries most hit by the outbreak, Italy, after almost 3 months of harsh quarantine, is slowly opening up.
Italy has a strong touristic industry which during these months has dropped significantly, Many business owners are pushing to open, but reopening will not be possible unless the right measures are taken.
The Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, has announced the last 26th of April, the beginning of the so-called “Fase 2”, which is operative starting from the 4th of May and that involves the opening of some businesses (including restaurants and cafes), public parks, and some open-air sportive activities. But essentially, the lockdown will be still active and single citizens will not have much freedom of movement even after the 4th of May. But what exactly can you do in Italy starting from the 4th of May? Keep reading to learn more about the not so clear Italian “Fase 2”.
Some Museums Will Open But Everything “With Distance”
Italy is a country rich in culture, art, and museums. While during the quarantine, all museums stayed closed and some organized online tours to some interested visitors, from early May it will be possible to visit some archeological sites and museums. Not all museums will reopen at the same time and what is very clear is that even if the museums will open, social distancing and COVID safety measures will be imposed.
For example, the number of visitors allowed to enter will be limited, everyone will need to wear face masks and respect the distance of 1.5 meters from other people. Museums are currently working on organizing new ways of offering a visit in all safety and without going against the measures for the novel Coronavirus outbreak. All the underground archeological sites will remain closed and some museums will implement strict measures at the entrance, even those open-air museums like Pompei, for example.
Virtual Reality tours (with the use of the special glasses), as well as audio guides, will not be allowed unless the museums will be able to guarantee the correct disinfestation of the apparate.
Take-Aways, Including Gelaterie Will Start To Reopen From The 4th Of May
The new decree is set to slowly re-start the small and medium restoration, a sector that has been strongly hit by this epidemic outbreak. From the 4th of May, all of those restaurants that remained closed during the quarantine, bars, gelaterie, and pastry shops are allowed to open, all with the addition of takeaway services. Indeed, while restaurants will not be allowed to deliver food and drinks directly to their clients’ houses, clients in all Italy will be allowed to order from home and take the food directly at the restaurant, bar, or gelateria. r. The Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, had emphasized the importance of not gathering outside restaurants or bars and to eat inside one’s home.
However, each region might take a stricter approach to Fase 2 and impose safety measures and the need for constant disinfestation to each restaurant or bar.
What Happens After 18th Of May?
Officially, Italians will be on total lockdown until the 18th of May. Starting from this date, the museums, libraries, and some parks are allowed to reopen.
What seems more clear is that starting from the 1st of June (which conveniently falls right before a public holiday, the 2nd of June), the Government is planning to implement the reopening of bars, restaurants, hairdressers, and estheticians. On how this will happen, the Government has not yet established any measure, with the promise of communicating them later on.
What About Beaches? Will They Reopen?
In most parts of Italy, beaches are not restricted to lay down under the sun and swim in the sea. Restoration is involved in most establishments, which means that strict measures will need to be followed for the reopening of beaches.
Each region is adopting different measures to guarantee safety on the beach. For example, in Veneto, there will be blocks of 50 square meters per family to enjoy the beach, Sicily will impose the check of everybody’s temperature at the entrance with the appropriate scanners, while Sardegna will only allow access to a limited number of people.
So, beaches will open, but the restrictions will be significant. Most people will need to book their place at the beach online or through a phone call, to limit queuing at the entrance. In the Lazio Region, sat the beach will need to download an app to book their spot at the beach and all beaches will allow the entrance to a limited number of people and the guarantee of social distancing on the sand as well as at the restaurants and bars, with measures imposing a distance of at least 2 meters in the restaurants and 4 meters on the beach (with some regions imposing even up to 10 meters distancing). To guarantee safety, it will be essential to disinfect chairs, beach umbrellas, and cots, as well as showers and toilets.
The Bottomline
As you can see, Fase 2 doesn’t mean that everything will come back to normal. Indeed, this summer will be probably a strange one, with new rules and new safety measures to follow which might make it more difficult to feel at ease. Certainly, most restaurants, small businesses, and bars have an urge to open and to restart their operations. With the right measures, you’ll still be able to visit museums and to enjoy yourself at the beach, as well as eat from a restaurant. In such hard and uncertain times, it is normal to feel lost and possibly fed up with the situation, but the good news is that the Italian government and the businesses involved are doing their best to slowly start the economy and to go back to normal life. Of course, all within the limits that this new coronavirus outbreak imposes.