The Leaning Tower of Pisa
A new decree, the ‘Decreto Festività,’ mandated by the Italian government on December 23, 2021 tightened anti-Covid regulations in view of the highest daily number of new COVID cases (44,495) in over a year, 28% of which were caused by the Omicron variant.
— For the first time since June 2021, wearing a mask outdoors at all times even in the “white zone” will be mandatory until January 31, 2022.
— There will be no limitations regarding the number of guests that can be invited to one’s home on Christmas and New Year.
— The wearing of the a more filtering effective FFP2 face mask — both indoors and outdoors — will be required at cinemas, theaters, sporting events and concerts, where food and beverages will no longer be served, as well as on all public transportation, whether local, regional or interregional.
— Open air events, including concerts, will be prohibited until January 31, 2022.
— The duration of the ‘Super Green Pass’ will drop from nine months to six starting on February 1, 2022. A ‘Super Green Pass’ (issued upon vaccination or recovery from COVID) will be necessary in order to eat in a restaurant or have a coffee at the counter of a bar or café. Those with a temporary ‘Green Pass’ issued for a number of hours after a negative COVID test will be limited to dining outdoors.
— Starting on December 30, a ‘Super Green Pass’ will be necessary in order to access museums, exhibitions, ski and hot spring resorts (except, in the case of the latter, for rehabilitation), amusement parks and social clubs.
— Guests must show a ‘Mega Green Pass’ (comprising proof of a booster shot), or a ‘Super Green Pass’ plus the negative outcome of a Covid test in the preceding 72 hours when visiting friends and family members at nursing homes. This will also hold true at the entrance of clubs and discos starting on January 31, upon reopening after a closure effective immediately.
— the Italian government is planning to introduce a measure allowing for a booster shot four months after a second vaccination instead of the current five months. (rosanna cirigliano)
