Due to the high regional level of COVID-91 contagions, it has been confirmed that Tuscany will become a “red zone” starting Sunday, November 15 and must implement the most stringent level of restrictions designed to lower the number of infections and deaths from the virus. The decree is on the table of Health Minister Roberto Speranza, who is expected to sign it shortly.
Tuscany has moved into this category with the region of Campania, joining Lombardy, Piedmont, Bolzano and Calabria. Its former “orange status” will now also comprise Emilia-Romagna, Friuli and Le Marche that join Abruzzo, Basilicata, Liguria, Puglia, Sicily and Umbria. The measures will be effective for a minimum of two weeks. The regions of Lazio, Molise, Sardinia, Veneto and Trento will remain “yellow,” that is, with the mildest limitations.
Retail shops will close along with nail salons. It is prohibited to leave one’s town of residence at any time except for work and health reasons or necessity; the same applies for going out where one lives.
Restaurants and bars will remain closed except for take out (up to 10 pm) or delivery, which can take place 24/7. Grocery stores, supermarkets, pet food shops, hardware stores, newsstands, hairdressers, dry cleaners and pharmacies can stay open.
Remote learning is mandated except for pre-school, kindergarten and the first year of middle school. High school and middle school students with disabilities can sadly no longer receive on-site special ed classes. Besides Italian professional team events, all sports competitions are cancelled or postponed. Residents run, jog or bike within town limits but exercise or take a walk only near their home.
Museums, exhibitions, cinemas and theatres continue to be closed; buses, trains and trams will accept only 50% of passenger capacity with the national curfew from 10 pm to 5 am remaining in place until December 3.
On November 13, 2,478 new Coronavirus cases were reported in Tuscany, with 55 deaths (average age: 85).
To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.
