Italy is officially in the red zone for the Christmas and New Year holidays. From midnight on December 24, the rules (but also the exceptions) established by the "Christmas decree”. Restrictions aimed at avoiding gatherings and reunifications that could raise the curve of Covid-19 infections and favor the arrival of the much-feared third wave before the second wave even ends. The red zone is in effect until January 6, but for 4 days – December 28, 29, 30 and January 4, the whole country will be orange zone.
What can and cannot be done? What are the rules in effect today? What movements are allowed? Here is the complete guide.
RED ZONE FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR: THE CALENDAR
From today, December 24, and until January 6, Italy will be in the red zone for 10 days. The lockdown is in effect on the following days:
- 24, 25, 26 and 27 December;
- December 31st, January 1st, 2nd and 3rd;
- 5 and 6 January.
RED ZONE: CURFEW AND CLOSURES
Confirmed curfew from 22.00 to 5.00 for the entire period from 24 December to 6 January. On New Year's Eve, between December 31st and January 1st, the curfew is extended until 7.00 in the morning.
On days when Italy is in the red zone, bars and restaurants they're closed. However, home deliveries can be made and customers can get takeaway food until 22.00pm.
Also closed i shops retail, except for:
– supermarkets;
– shops selling food and basic necessities;
– pharmacies, parapharmacies and healthcare;
– newsagents, stationery and office supplies;
– laundries;
– tobacconists;
– hairdressers and barbers;
– computers and consumer electronics;
– petrol stations;
– computer and telecommunications equipment shops;
– hardware, paints, tiles;
– sanitary items;
– equipment and products for agriculture and gardening;
– articles for lighting and security systems in specialized shops;
– bookshops;
– personal linen;
– sporting goods, bicycles and leisure items;
– motor vehicles and motorcycles;
- Games and toys;
– cosmetics, perfumery and herbal products,
– flowers, plants, bulbs, seeds and fertilizers,
– pets and pet food in specialized establishments,
– optics and photography,
– fuel for domestic use and for heating,
– soaps, detergents, polishing and similar products,
– funeral and cemetery items,
– packaging and footwear for children and babies;
– retail trade of any type of product carried out via the internet, by television, by mail, radio, telephone;
– trade carried out through vending machines;
MOVEMENTS IN THE RED ZONE FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
You can only leave the house for the sake of health, work or need and to reach one's domicile, residence or habitual residence. allowed themotor activity near your home. yes also atsport activity individual outdoors. There are also some important exceptions (which we will discuss in the next paragraph).
in faq published on the Government website it specifies that travel is allowed for:
- assisting a relative or friend who is not self-sufficient (it is considered a condition of necessity);
- if you are separated or divorced, reach the minor children with the other parent or in any case with the custodian, or to take them to your home. In this case they are also allowed between Municipalities of different areas;
- accompany the children to their grandparents and pick them up (it is allowed, but strongly discouraged);
- go shopping in another Municipality where your own does not have points of sale or in the event that a Municipality adjacent to your own has the availability, also in terms of greater economic convenience, of points of sale necessary for your needs;
- do volunteer or service activities;
- reach the place of worship closest to home.
For second homes, the Government specified that:
between 21 December 2020 and 6 January 2021, the movement of a family unit living together towards the latter is always permitted, from 5 to 22, within one's own Region and always prohibited towards other Regions. It is allowed to move to the second home, even if in the name of more than one co-owner, of a single family nucleus living together.
Source: governo.it
THE DEROGATIONS ON MOVEMENTS IN THE RED ZONE
In the decree, the Government has provided for an important derogation. In the red zone it is possible to leave the house and move to make visit relatives and friends at their private home. However, certain rules must be respected. The first concerns the number of people on the move: a maximum of two. The number can only be exceeded if you have children under the age of 14 or in the presence of disabled or non self-sufficient people living together. Let's take a practical example: two parents with one, two, three children under 14 can go to visit their uncles or cousins. However, if the children are 15, 16 or older, moving is prohibited.
The second rule concerns time and frequency: "moving to private homes is allowed only once a day in a period of time between 5 and 22".
Furthermore, we can move "to a single house": if we go to visit our grandparents for lunch, we cannot go to visit our uncles in the following hours.
Finally the distance: these movements are allowed only towards the private houses located in the same Region. So Yes out of the ordinary, Yes out of the province, No out of the Region.
SELF-CERTIFICATION AND FINES
When you leave the house, respecting the above rules, it is mandatory to take the now famous wine with you self-certification (here is the form) which we also used during the previous lockdowns. Be careful though, the Government specifies that:
“the truthfulness of the self-declarations will be subject to subsequent checks and the ascertained falseness of what is declared constitutes a crime. The justification of the reason for work can also be proven by exhibiting adequate documentation provided by the employer (cards or similar) capable of demonstrating the declared condition".
Source: governo.it
Anyone who violates the rules is subject to one fine between 400 and one thousand euros. If you pay within 5 days, the fine is reduced by 30%.
