Here comes Phase 3, or if you prefer Phase 2 bis. Monday 18 May, after the partial reopening of 4 May, is the new date to be marked in red in the gradual and laborious process of returning to normal. There won't be full normality this time either, it's useless to delude ourselves, but there is no shortage of government decree important news: meanwhile, as is known, shops, bars, restaurants reopen, hairdressers, beauty centers and massage centers and there will be the possibility for citizens to go to second homes.
Indeed, more: the Government in the decree which is valid from 18 May to 31 July, has decided that all movements within the regional territory (and therefore not only to reach second homes or for the "old" reasons of necessity, urgency and health, indicated in the various self-certifications) will not be subject to any limitation, without prejudice to the more restrictive containment measures adopted by specific areas of the territory regional, subject to particular aggravation of the epidemiological situation. And obviously with the absolute prohibition that remains for quarantined individuals because they are positive for the virus.
"Until 2 June - reads paragraph 2 of article 1 - transfers and movements, with public and private means of transport, are prohibited in a Region other than the one in which you are currently located, except for proven needs work, of absolute urgency or for health reasons; in any case, the return to one's domicile, home or residence is permitted". Only from 3 June therefore, after the bridge on 2, it will also be possible to move between one Region and another, except for different provisions related to the epidemiological risk in certain areas. And from 3 June the borders between the states of the European Union will also reopen.
For now, however, it is certain that following the rules you can start again, but the decree also provides that failure to comply with the contents of the protocols or guidelines, which does not ensure adequate levels of protection, determines the suspension of activity until the safety conditions are restored. To ensure that economic and productive activities are carried out in safe conditions, the Regions will monitor the progress of the epidemiological situation in their territories on a daily basis. And if there are new risks, the same government will be able to block everything again.
With regard to business openings there may be differences between Regions, as long as the local protocols are consistent with the guidelines imposed at the national level. With regard to bars and restaurants, for example, the regions that asked for greater flexibility on the safety distance between tables prevailed: in the end, a meter distance between people will suffice (with a maximum of 6 per table) and the same it should apply, in the summer perspective, to umbrellas and sunbeds in bathing establishments (some regions such as Liguria are already moving forward).
In the press conference on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte then announced two new reopening dates: May 25th is the turn of swimming pools and gyms (obviously following the safety protocols), on June 15th in theaters and cinemas. “It's a calculated risk – said the premier -, we can't wait for the vaccine".
As for controls and sanctions, unless a crime is committed, violations of the new decree will also in this case be punished with administrative sanctions (always fines between 400 and 3.000 euros). In cases where the violation is committed in the exercise of a business activity, the ancillary administrative sanction of the closure of the financial year or business from 5 to 30 days.
