Premier Mario Draghi's government on
Tuesday was putting the final touches to a decree with a new
regime of COVID-19 restrictions that is expected to be in force
from next weekend until April 6, the day after Easter Monday.
On the whole, 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,
is set to remain.
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.
At a meeting on Monday, however, ministers were split on the
measures to adopt in specific areas within orange zones where
there is a particularly high number of cases - 250 per 100,000
inhabitants or more - sources said.
While the ministers agreed that it is necessary to close all
schools in these areas, there was disagreement over whether to
shut non-essential shops too.
One possible change is that the new decree is expected to force
hairdressers and barbers to close in red zones, according to a
draft.
Up to now these businesses have been able to operate even in
high contagion risk areas.
Furthermore, all schools in red zones are set to close.
The package is expected to allow cinemas and theatres to reopen
from March 27 in yellow zones and allow people to visit museums
at the weekend. At the moment museums are only allowed to open
from Monday to Friday in yellow zones.
A nationwide ban on swimming pools, ski facilities and gyms
being open is expected to remain though.
The government is also tipped to resist pressure, including from
League leader Matteo Salvini, to allow restaurants in yellow
zones to serve customers at tables in the evening.
A ban on travelling between regions, except for work or health
reasons or other situations of need, looks set to stay too.
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