One of the countries hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy has initiated its plan to reopen restaurants, bars, and events. The announcement follows the trajectory of other areas such as New Zealand, Berlin, Spain, and more in slowly reintegrating live events as coronavirus cases continue to diminish. Italy’s lifting of lockdown restrictions has already begun as of Monday, May 18 with cafes, restaurants, and bars. These venues will welcome customers while abiding strict social distancing guidelines and safety protocols including ensuring distance between customers and required face masks, with the exception of dining at respective tables.
The next phase will see live music events return on June 15 with similar measures of precaution. Attendees will be seated with distances of one meter apart and are required to wear face masks. Like Spain’s event limitations, Italy’s reopening will also dictate certain capacities—200 maximum for indoor and 1000 for outdoor. Unlike its European counterpart, the government has not allowed nightclubs and “activities that take place in dance halls and discotheques and similar places” to return.
H/T: Mixmag Featured image: Alessandro Cripsta
