Published: 14/05/2020 By The Abode Team
Here's the latest news on the current coronavirus situation in Italy and the measures taken by the Italian authorities.Main points:
• Italy passes 220,000 confirmed cases
• Death toll now over 31,000
• New cases continue to slow
• More reopenings expected from May 18th
What's the latest on the situation in Italy?
Another 888 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Italy on Wednesday May 13th, meaning there have now been 222,104 cases in total since the outbreak began, including those patients now recovered or deceased.
There are currently 78,457 people known to be infected in Italy.
According to the latest data released by Italy's Department for Civil Protection, there were also 195 new deaths in 24 hours. This pushed the country's death toll up to 31,106.
While still worryingly high, the number of fatalities per day is significantly lower than its peak of nearly 1,000 in mid-March.
The latest data showed that a total of 112,541 people have now recovered.
Italy speeds up reopenings under phase two
Italian authorities on Monday gave the go-ahead for cafes, restaurants and hairdressers to open from May 18th.
This was originally planned for June 1st but has been moved forward.
Since May 4th, Italy has officially been in the second phase of its coronavirus lockdown, with some rules relaxed after eight weeks of nationwide orders to stay at home.
These are the key changes:
• Visiting relatives or loved ones within the same region is allowed.
• You can return your place of residence, even if it means travelling from one region to another.
• Outdoor exercise is permitted without restrictions on distance.
•Parks can reopen.
•Restaurants and cafes can serve takeaway.
•Funerals are allowed, with a maximum of 15 people attending.
•Face masks must be worn in all enclosed public spaces, including on public transport and in shops.
•Anyone with a temperature must stay home by law.
The current rules apply until May 17th, after which a new decree will come into force.
What hasn't changed?
You still need to carry an autocertificazione ('self-certification') form when leaving home until at least May 17th, when the rules are set to be revised again.
Travel remains tightly restricted, including within your own region. You are only supposed to go outside to buy groceries and other essentials, go to work, visit a doctor or pharmacy, exercise, see relatives or for another urgent reason.
Schools remain closed until at least September.
And you're still required to maintain at least a metre's distance from other people, including in shops, parks and on public transport.
Anyone with a temperature of 37.5 degrees or higher must not go out in public unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
The maximum fine for breaking quarantine rules is €3,000 euros. Penalties are even higher in some regions under local rules, and the most serious offences could result in prison terms.
Regional differences
The rules vary considerably around Italy, with some regional governments using their powers to reopen local shops and other businesses early.
Restrictions are expected to be lifted sooner in some regions than others, depending on how much new cases have slowed, how many hospital beds are available, and what capacity is in place to test and trace people who have the virus.
When will it be possible to travel to Italy again?
Travel to Italy has become almost impossible and is now not advised by most governments, with any travellers arriving now subjected to a 14-day quarantine.
While a few flights are still operating to and from Italy, anyone arriving in the country is barred from using public transport and obliged to self-isolate for 14 days.
While Italy has not explicitly banned foreign visitors, travelling to and from Italy remains very complicated and is possible only in emergency situations.