So now it's official: from June 3 we will recover another large slice of freedom. Not yet the definitive one, because the obligation to wear a mask (almost everywhere), social distancing and so on, but from Wednesday 3 June, immediately after the long weekend of 2 June to avoid at least that potential gathering, Italians will be able to return to circulate from one region to another, without constraints. And therefore green light to reunite with relatives, friends, to visit museums and cities of art, if not to go on real holidays. On the same date, the fateful 3 June, Italy reopens its doors not only to itself, but also to Europe: it will be possible to enter from the European Union and from the entire Schengen area.
The decision was taken by the Government, with the favorable opinion of the technical-scientific committee and the Ministry of Health, despite the fact that the data on the spread of the infection is not 100% encouraging and above all is not homogeneous from one region to another. For example, the situation in Lombardy is very clear, and has not failed to arouse controversy, which in the week from 18 to 24 May it has had over 16 cases per 100 inhabitants, i.e. many more than in other regions. Piedmont and the province of Trento are at 12, while most of the rest of the local realities travel within 5 per 100 thousand. In Lombardy there are still 18 people in quarantine, but Minister Roberto Speranza has shown confidence: "The data is good, the trend of infections from Covid-19 continues to decline".
Palazzo Chigi also expressed itself in a spirit of tolerance on the Lombardy case, with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who did not feel like making a separate reasoning for the Milan region: "There are ten million Lombards, of which 22 thousand are positive . Let's talk about 0,2. It would not be right - the government explains - to prevent 9 million and 980 thousand Lombards from moving. The point now is not to create red zones, but respect the distance everywhere. A positive is always enough to create an outbreak, both a Lombard and a Campanian can do it ". To avoid outbreaks, "physical distancing and a mask are needed everywhere".
The reopening of the country, including the Schengen borders, is also a signal sent internationally not to cut Italy off from the recovery of tourist flows. Many countries have hesitations (most recently - in addition to Switzerland and Austria - Greece, which reopens on 15 June but excluding the Italians, English, Spanish and French), but in the meantime, reopening the entire territory on 3 June will allow our country to anticipate some of its "rivals": "We closed earlier than the others and we are able to reopen earlier - said the minister Francesco Boccia -, most European countries will do so on June 15". A crucial move to try to save a tourist season which will inevitably be greatly compromised, not precluding the arrival of holidaymakers from the rest of Europe and Great Britain.
Meanwhile, the reopenings and the restoration of normality for citizens continue, region by region. In Veneto the governor Luca Zaia has reduced the obligation to wear a mask, which should not be used everywhere but only indoors and in the event of gatherings. In Lombardy from next Monday gyms, swimming pools, cultural and recreational clubs will reopen. In Bologna the baskets have been reassembled in the open fields, in parks and gardens.
