Based on the latest health data, the Italian regions of Abruzzo, Liguria, Umbria and Veneto will become white zones from Monday.
The latest weekly coronavirus monitoring report from the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS) on Friday confirmed Italy’s coronavirus numbers had continued to fall for another week.
The national average Rt reproduction number had dropped to 0.68 from 0.72, it said.
“Abruzzo, Umbria, Liguria and Veneto have under 50 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants for the third consecutive week; from Monday they will be in the white zone,” ISS head, Silvio Brusaferro, said at a press conference.
Brusaffero added that there had been an “immediate” drop in the contagion curve and the number of cases after the vaccine rollout gained momentum recently.
“If the trend continues like this, all of Italy will be in the white zone by mid-June,” he said.
The regions moving into white zones will be able to drop the last remaining restrictions and reopen indoor restaurants, bars and indoor swimming pools earlier than planned under the country’s roadmap to reopening.
Weddings and community events will also be permitted.
So far, the only rules that remain in place in white zones are wearing a face mask and practising social distancing, the health minister has said.
The regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Molise and Sardinia were the first to be designated white zones last week.
On Tuesday, cafes and restaurants in all regions were allowed to serve customers indoors once again and sports stadiums reopened to the public as rules were eased further.
Italy administered a record 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines in 24 hours on both Saturday and Sunday.
