Italy will ease the curbs of the coronavirus in many areas starting April 26, the government said on Friday, warning that caution is still needed to avoid any reversal of the reopening of many long-term closure activities.
Restrictions on business and movement have been in place for most of this year in Italy, which has the seventh highest death toll in the world and still reports hundreds of deaths every day.
The current restrictions were due to expire in early May and no decision had been made on how to replace them.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi has set a broad timetable for reopening under pressure from parties in his administration of national unity, especially the right-wing league.
“The government is taking a reasonable risk based on data that is improving, though not dramatically,” Draghi told a news conference.
Last month, as the number of cases and hospitalizations increased, Italy discontinued the four-tier, color-coded system it uses to gauge restrictions in its 20 regions and imposed tougher red or orange areas. national.
Starting April 26, more permissive yellow and white areas will be restored where infection levels are low. In these areas, restaurants and bars will be able to serve customers at outdoor dining, and cinemas and theaters will reopen with limited attendance.
“Our idea is to allow outdoor pools starting May 15 and resume some gymnastics activities on June 1,” Health Minister Roberto Speranza told reporters.
Currently, three regions are red and 17 are orange, with severe restrictions on business and traffic. As the number of new cases gradually decreases, many of them hope to turn yellow when the color area is restored.
Draghi said it would be crucial for people to strictly abide by the rules of social distancing and wear masks to move forward with reopening.
“It is based on the premise that people and institutions follow the rules, so that this reasonable risk is successful,” he said.
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