While the new measures have not been confirmed yet, the government has indicated that non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen in regions deemed high-risk “red zones”, and shopping centres could reopen nationwide at weekends ahead of the holidays to allow for Christmas shopping.
With infection rates falling in many parts of the country, it is expected that more regions currently classified as red zones and moderate-risk “orange zones” will be downgraded to low-risk “yellow zones”, freeing residents from additional restrictions.
Italy’s nationwide 10:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew is expected to stay in place however, meaning midnight mass would be off the cards.
With travel restrictions also likely to remain in place, things aren’t looking promising for Italy’s €11 billion snow tourism sector.
While Italian resorts would usually be preparing to open to snow tourists in early December, Conte has already warned Italians that they won’t be allowed to go on ski holidays at Christmas.
“It will be a different kind of Christmas, sacrifices are still necessary in order not to expose ourselves to a third wave in January with a high number of deaths,” Conte said on Italian television last Thursday.
When it comes to Christmas dinner, no legal limit is likely to be set on the number of people allowed in homes but the government continues to recommend avoiding all gatherings.
The current emergency decree states: “With regard to private homes, it is strongly recommended to avoid parties, as well as to avoid receiving more than six non-cohabiting people.”
Italy on Tuesday recorded 19,350 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours and 785 more deaths.
The number of hospital admissions fell by 376, and the number of intensive care cases also dropped by 81.
