After adopting strict measures to stop the spread of the pandemic, Italy is ready to ease its lockdown measures starting May 4. The borders will continue to remain closed for tourists until the end of this year. By Upasana Singh
Italy is among the countries that are worst-hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. With a very high number of confirmed cases, the country’s death toll remains the highest in Europe. However, after remaining under lockdown for a while now, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that lockdown restrictions will start easing from May 4.
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Parks, buildings, factory sites, prominent attractions, museums, and libraries will reopen in May. Schools are likely to remain shut till September and movement between regions will remain suspended with people allowed to go out only if they carry a declaration explaining the reason for their journey.
No announcements have been made regarding the possibility of Italy’s premier football league Serie A resuming. However, group training of sports teams has been permitted from May 18. Church services remain banned and funerals with the presence of no more than 15 people will be allowed.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Dario Franceschini stated that international tourism will be postponed until the end of this year. In addition, the epidemiological situation and policies of each Italian state will be taken into consideration before opening up the country’s borders.
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People have been urged to follow the rules of social distancing and stay three-feet away from each other even after the country eases lockdown restrictions. “If we do not respect the precautions the curve will go up, the deaths will increase, and we will have irreversible damage to our economy,” the Prime Minister said in his television address outlining “Phase Two” of lifting the lockdown, as reported by BBC.
Italy’s decision to lift certain restrictions will be a key test of Europe’s efforts to restart public life and support the country’s economy.
Related: #SomeGoodNews: Paris Is All Set To Construct 650-Km Of Post-Lockdown Cycleways
