Italy eases Covid restrictions further on Monday as infection rate drops
Italy’s health ministry has allowed all regions except for Valle d'Aosta to drop most remaining coronavirus-related rules from Monday following the latest health data review.
The regions of Tuscany, Marche, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Sicily and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano have been moved from the yellow category, joining the rest of the country in the 'white zone'.
The only area to remain a 'yellow zone' is the northern region of Valle d’Aosta.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed off on the changes following the findings of the latest health data report published on Friday, which showed that the rate of new infections in the country remained low.
EXPLAINED: What are the rules in Italy’s coronavirus ‘white zones’?
Italy has been reporting around 2,000 new daily infections on average nationwide since June 7th - the lowest figures seen since September 2020.
The national average Rt reproduction number, which shows the rate of new infections, was steady at 0.69 (it was 0.68 last week).
Italy’s national average 7-day incidence rate had fallen from 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 16.
To be placed in the low-restriction white zone, regions must have registered fewer than 50 coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants for three weeks consecutively.
The classification means regional authorities are allowed to drop most of the remaining coronavirus restrictions earlier than planned under the national roadmap for reopening.
So far, only mask-wearing and social distancing rules must remain in place in white zones, the health minister has said. House parties and large gatherings are also forbidden.
READ ALSO: Delta variant in Italy: What’s the risk of another Covid-19 surge?
For now, nightclubs and discos are still waiting for a firm date for reopening, and it is not known if or when Italy may relax the rules on wearing masks outdoors.
Italy’s evening curfew – which is not applicable in white zones – currently starts at midnight and will be scrapped completely on June 21st.
The final set of rules in each region depends on the local authority, as each is free to impose stricter rules than those set by the national government.
The Italian health ministry on Friday meanwhile announced it will reinstate a mandatory quarantine requirement for all UK arrivals from Monday amid concerns about the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant.
After a slow start, Italy's vaccination campaign has picked up speed in recent months and more than a quarter of the population is fully vaccinated as of Monday, official figures showed.
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The regions of Tuscany, Marche, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Sicily and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano have been moved from the yellow category, joining the rest of the country in the 'white zone'.
The only area to remain a 'yellow zone' is the northern region of Valle d’Aosta.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed off on the changes following the findings of the latest health data report published on Friday, which showed that the rate of new infections in the country remained low.
EXPLAINED: What are the rules in Italy’s coronavirus ‘white zones’?
Italy has been reporting around 2,000 new daily infections on average nationwide since June 7th - the lowest figures seen since September 2020.
The national average Rt reproduction number, which shows the rate of new infections, was steady at 0.69 (it was 0.68 last week).
Italy’s national average 7-day incidence rate had fallen from 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 16.
To be placed in the low-restriction white zone, regions must have registered fewer than 50 coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants for three weeks consecutively.
The classification means regional authorities are allowed to drop most of the remaining coronavirus restrictions earlier than planned under the national roadmap for reopening.
So far, only mask-wearing and social distancing rules must remain in place in white zones, the health minister has said. House parties and large gatherings are also forbidden.
READ ALSO: Delta variant in Italy: What’s the risk of another Covid-19 surge?
For now, nightclubs and discos are still waiting for a firm date for reopening, and it is not known if or when Italy may relax the rules on wearing masks outdoors.
Italy’s evening curfew – which is not applicable in white zones – currently starts at midnight and will be scrapped completely on June 21st.
The final set of rules in each region depends on the local authority, as each is free to impose stricter rules than those set by the national government.
The Italian health ministry on Friday meanwhile announced it will reinstate a mandatory quarantine requirement for all UK arrivals from Monday amid concerns about the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant.
After a slow start, Italy's vaccination campaign has picked up speed in recent months and more than a quarter of the population is fully vaccinated as of Monday, official figures showed.
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