Many Italian regions are still battling high COVID-19 infection rates and with the approaching holiday season the Government is not taking any chance. That is why, after a late meeting last night the Council of Ministers announced the introduction of travel ban between regions in Italy for the period between 21 December 2020 and 6 January 2021. What is more is that specifically on 25 and 26 December and 1 January travelling will be also prohibited between municipalities in order to discourage large family and friends’ gatherings.
10pm-curfew will also remain in place
The decree was adopted on the proposal of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Health Minister Roberto Speranza. The validity of these emergency decrees which regulate the different sanitary measures was also extended from thirty to fifty days.
However, the government communiqué also stated that travel motivated by the needs of work, health or other essential needs will be permitted. Furthermore, people who need to return from somewhere else to their habitual place of residence will be allowed to do so.
The keyword here is ‘habitual’ or ‘primary’ place of residence, since many people have holiday homes in other municipalities and regions, those cannot be used as an excuse behind the reason for traveling.
The extended rules also confirm the possibility and the power that the central authorities have to extend or add on additional measures during that period if the situation requires it. As for any chance that these restrictions might be lifted off, there is a firm commitment for them to stay even if all regions would move into the lower risk yellow-zone category.
6 January is Epiphany Day, which is also the last major holiday of this cycle, hence the cut-off date for the restrictions that have been announced.
Source: TheMayor.EU