From 11 February it will no longer be mandatory to wear masks outdoors. The decision will be valid throughout Italy. This was announced by the Undersecretary of Health, Andrea Costa, during an interview with Tagadà, on La7.
“I am sure that from 11 February the obligation to wear masks outdoors will cease, not only in the white areas but in the whole country”Costa said. The undersecretary then added: “we must regain trust in citizens and the desire to go back to carrying out a whole series of activities trying to give positive messages. Citizens have been respecting the restrictions for two years and have joined the vaccination campaign in an important way, the time has come to give positive signals".
The decision of cancel the obligation to wear a mask outdoors throughout the country represents a step forward compared to what was expected until a few hours ago, when the hypothesis in circulation was to abolish the obligation only in the white area. A choice that, for the moment, would have concerned only three Italian regions, even if new color changes are expected from next week.
The obligation to use protective devices outdoors had arrived with an ordinance signed by the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza in order to try to stem the spread of the Omicron variant, but now that the epidemiological situation seems to be showing the first signs of improvement, the Government has decided not to extend the provision and to let it expire. From Friday, therefore, masks will remain mandatory only indoors, while outdoors it will be necessary to wear them only in case of gatherings.
