Five regions in the orange zone, the rest of the Peninsula in the yellow zone, three regions open schools. New measures against nightlife. This is the picture at the beginning of the week and which concerns the situation of infections in Italy. The pandemic does not intend to retreat. And despite the reassuring numbers on vaccination, which place Italy as the second country in the European Union for doses administered, unfortunately the specter of the third wave is around the corner. The restrictions adopted by the government, in synergy with the regions, are the consequence of the behavior adopted during the holidays. Too many infections, too many deaths, intensive therapies back to collapse. And then we try to run for cover and to urge the population to be cautious.
The regions at risk, the government measures
The high numbers of the contagions they pushed the government to take the most stringent measures for Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Sicily and Veneto. These five regions will remain in the orange zone, with all the rules that many already know. The most stringent consequences concern above all the school world. In distance learning not only high school but also primary and lower secondary school. Schools open only in Valle d'Aosta, Tuscany and Abruzzo. However, the prohibitions remain everywhere: one cannot move between regions, except for work needs, health reasons or to return to one's own homes, domiciles or residences.
On the table of the government new measures, soon regions in the red zone
But if infections increase further, the government is considering new restrictions. In fact it is assumed that if the weekly incidence of cases exceeds 250 cases per hundred thousand inhabitants, the Region is automatically in the red zone. To urge it would have been the Scientific Technical Committee and the Higher Institute of Health. This measure is still under discussion but is already provoking the first positions taken. "No region has asked for that limit - underlines the president of the governors, Stefano Bonaccini - and, if you want my impression, it will not enter among those used to decide the coloring or the displacement of the Regions". What is frightening is the nightlife which at the weekend becomes a place of gatherings in every region.
The new decree should be ready on day 16. The stringent measures would still affect all regions: it would be forbidden to take away from bars starting at 18; and also a ban on moving between regions even in the yellow areas. Good news would be the establishment of a "white zone" only for those regions with an Rt below 0.5, where you can reopen everything without limitations.
The rules that remain
The hypotheses being examined by Palazzo Chigi are evolving. But the goal is still to avoid the third wave, which unfortunately, given the cases registered in many regions on the rise, now seems close. It will remain the norm to be able to reach even once a day and for a maximum of two people, friends or relatives. Instead, the ski lifts, curfew from 22pm to 5am. Closed gyms and swimming pools, as well as theaters, museums and cinemas. You can take walks or physical activities outdoors but alone. On the other hand, all contact sports are prohibited, even outdoors.