Italy introduces first relaxation of nationwide quarantine restrictions

The first mitigation of restrictive measures after Christmas has begun in Italy against an improvement in the epidemiological situation, Report informs with reference to the Italian Ministry of Culture.

Since Monday, museums and archaeological parks have opened in almost all regions, except for Apulia, Umbria, and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, which, like the city of Bolzano in Trentino-Alto Adige autonomous region, remain in the orange zone due to increased epidemiological risk.

According to the ministry, museum can work only on weekdays, and tickets must be ordered in advance. Earlier, the Vatican Museum directorate announced the opening of the papal treasury, extending the period of temporary exhibitions. The Vatican Museums and the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo will be open on Saturdays.

A total lockdown was not introduced in Italy. However, after a sharp increase in the number of infections in mid-October, when the daily growth reached 40,000 new cases, the country imposed stringent restrictions, including a curfew from 10 pm. Besides, shopping centers were closed on weekends, and all cultural institutions, gyms, swimming pools were completely shut down. Regions have come to be classified as red, orange, and yellow zones depending on the epidemiological data. Even in the yellow zones, restaurants and bars can only work until 18:00. In other areas, catering establishments can only serve takeaway. On Christmas and New Year's Eve, quarantine measures were tightened across the country.

Since February 1, according to the Health Ministry's order, most regions have moved to the yellow zone, where museums can be opened on weekdays. Restaurant opening hours do not change. After three months, the northern province of Lombardy, most affected by the pandemic, is yellow. There is currently no red zone in Italy.

The curfew, and the ban on movement between regions, even with moderate epidemiological risks, remains. Almost all over the country, high school students, who have been studying remotely since October, have returned to classrooms. However, the educational process is organized in such a way that no more than half of the students are present in the classes. In some areas, the authorities may decide to close schools in the event of an increase in infections.