Almost all of Italy is set to be an 'orange zone' under the terms of a new government decree that revises the parameters used for Italy's tiered system of restrictions based on each region's risk of COVID-19 contagion.
Lombardy, the region hit hardest by the first wave of the coronavirus, and Sicily are expected to be classed as red zones as of Sunday.
Under the tiered system, in high-risk red zones all restaurants and bars are closed, except for takeaways and home deliveries, and all non-essential shops are closed too.
In medium-high risk orange zones, shops can do business but restaurants and bars must stay closed.
In moderate risk yellow zones, shops are open and so are bars and restaurants until 6pm.
The category each region is classed in depends on the data from the health ministry's weekly monitoring report on the coronavirus, usually released on Friday.
The new decree maintains a nationwide curfew from 10pm until 5am.
It also keeps a ban on travel between regions, except for work or health reasons and other situations of absolute need, that was imposed before the Christmas holidays.
The ban will run until February 5 at the moment and perhaps until 15 February, this also the same as for ski resorts. They had planed to allow resorts to open starting 18 January, but now they will stay closed until 15 Feb
.
As of today Italy is still under the COVID protocols for limited movement and closure of most businesses related to tourism. Also Americans and other foreign travelers are not allowed to enter the country for tourism. There is hope that the restrictions will lessen in the next few months and travel will reopen by mid spring. However, even as restrictions open and travel is allowed the entire landscape will have changed and there are several adjustments that will need to be made.
Over the next few months our goal is to share with you some of the changes that are occurring and as we explore the area and find establishments no longer open or new service providers we will let you know.
