As many as six million Italian pupils
may be doing lessons via distance learning as of next Monday as
a result of a new package of COVID-19 measures passed by Premier
Mario Draghi's government, according to an estimate by the
Tuttoscuola education magazine.
The closure of all schools in high-contagion-risk red zones,
rather than just high schools, was the biggest change with
respect to the existing rules to feature in the new decree,
which comes into force on Saturday and runs until after Easter
on April 6.
The decree also gives regional authorities that are not red
zones the power to close all schools in specific areas of high
contagion, where there are 250 COVID cases or more for every
100,000 inhabitants in a week.
Tuttoscuola said the new rules could see the number of students
being taught via distance learning double from the three million
that were having lessons in this way on March 1.
The new decree keeps the current system of tiered restrictions
based on a region's COVID contagion risk level, going from
low-risk white to moderate-risk yellow, medium-risk orange and
high risk red.
In red zones all restaurants and bars are closed, except for
takeaways and home deliveries, and all non-essential shops are
closed too.
In orange zones, shops can do business but restaurants and bars
must stay closed.
In yellow zones, shops are open and so are bars and restaurants
until 6pm.
In white zones many of these restrictions can be dropped and,
for example, restaurants can serve food in the evening.
Sardinia is Italy's only white zone at the moment.
Another important change is that cinemas and theatres will be
able to reopen from March 27 in yellow zones and people will be
allowed to visit museums at the weekend.
At the moment museums are only allowed to open from Monday to
Friday in yellow zones.
A ban on travelling between regions, except for work or health
reasons or other situations of need, remains.
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