Pupils in many parts of Italy returned to school on Monday, and for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were no longer obliged to wear facemasks in class, or adhere to social distancing.
The use of distance learning for classrooms affected by Covid cases will soon be a thing of the past too.
Monday marked back-to-school for children in Abruzzo, Basilicata, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and the province of Trento.
Pupils remaining regions will also be called back to class in the over the next week.
“The whole country needs a new start,” said Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi.
“The government considers the emergency phase (of the pandemic) to be over, but we are ready for every eventuality."
