Italy extends strict lockdown until at least January 15

Italy-extends-strict-lockdown-until-at-least-January-15

Italian government officials have extended the strict holiday COVID-19 lockdown until at least January 15. 

People are not allowed to do interstate travel unless for healthcare or work. Bars and restaurants remain open only for takeout or delivery. 

Moreover, no more than a visit per day is recommended in areas with high COVID-19 incidence. If so, there should be only two people in the visiting group.

Small town residents will be able to cross regional borders this weekend. If their town has less than 5,000 inhabitants, they will be permitted to travel up to 18 miles from the district’s border.

So far, Italy has recorded over 2 million COVID-19 cases resulting in more than 76,000 deaths. At the moment, there are over 569,000 active cases, with around 20,000 newly infected people per day.

The country was the first western country to decree a lockdown in March 2020. With time it managed to bring the numbers down. In summer, Italy reopened bars, restaurants, shops, and museums. 

Italy-extends-strict-lockdown-until-at-least-Jan-15

However, with the resurgence of coronavirus in November, the country imposed a curfew. The numbers of new cases would be as high as 40,000 a day. Alongside the discovery of the new coronavirus strain, a lockdown was introduced again. 

Nonetheless, kindergarten and primary school students have returned to schools today (January 7), and high schools should reopen on January 11.

Traveling to Italy is not recommended, and tourism is not possible at all. 

Until January 6, all incomers had to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. From today visitors can present a negative coronavirus test result to avoid quarantine. The test has to be taken no more than 48 hours before travel. 

Those arriving from or through the U.K. must present a negative test upon arrival as well as take another one in Italy.