Italy Ski Regions In Tighter Restrictions from Monday + Lockdown Over Easter
12th March 2021
Last modified on May 12th, 2021
There are strict new measures across Italy including most of the main ski regions. The whole country goes into a new national lockdown over the Easter weekend. Any hopes for some ski resorts to open at the end of the season remains a distant dream. UPDATED
From Monday 15th March movement between towns in much of the country will be restricted with restaurants/bars closing and schools shutting.
More than half the country will be in a ‘red zone’ including the ski regions of Lombardy, Trentino, Sud Tirol, Piedmont and Venito in the Alps and the Dolomites.
All regions currently classed as ‘yellow zones’ under Italy’s tier system move to ‘orange’ from Monday.
That means the ski region of the Aosta Valley heads from yellow to orange.
We have the full details of the various restriction measures at the end of this article.
The Italian government is fighting to control a new and rising wave of infections, with 248 confirmed cases per 100,000 of population over a 7-day period.
Last week it was 192.
Italy reported almost 26,000 new Covid-19 cases and 373 deaths on Thursday.
“More than a year after the start of the health emergency, we are unfortunately facing a new wave of infections,” said the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi.
“The memory of what happened last spring is vivid, and we will do everything to prevent it from happening again.
“I’m aware that today’s restrictions will have consequences on the education of your children, on the economy and on everyone’s mental health, but they’re necessary to avoid a worsening of the situation that would require even stricter measures.”
This week Italy passed the grim milestone of 100,000 deaths since the pandemic started over a year ago.
In the Easter weekend lockdown only essential shops will be allowed to open, and people must stay at home except for work, health or emergency reasons.
“Our scientists are asking us to take stricter measures and I believe that it is right,” said the Health Minister, Roberto Speranza.
“The weeks ahead won’t be easy, but we also have vaccines that are finally available.”
We reported on the possibility of tighter restrictions and lockdown last week on PlanetSKI.
There had been some hope back in February that ski resorts might be able to open.
This was over-ruled at the 11th hour.
Judging by the rise in coronavirus and the spread of the variants this now seems like a sound decision, based on medical grounds.
It has though had a significant economic impact on the mountain areas that rely on winter tourism.
So, what are the restriction measures in the different zones?
This information comes from The Local, Italy.
Yellow zones:
Residents can circulate freely in their own region, including between towns, but may not leave the region except for work, health, emergencies or other essential reasons.
A nightly curfew applies from 10pm to 5am; you should only leave the house during these hours for essential reasons. Police can stop you and ask you to fill in a self-declaration form.
Bars, cafes, restaurants and all other food businesses are open and can serve customers on the premises until 6pm
All shops are open, though malls and outlet centres must close at weekends.
Museums can open.
From March 27th, cinemas and theatres can reopen.
Nightclubs, bingo halls and casinos remain closed.
Gyms and pools remain closed.
Schools can conduct up to 75 percent of lessons in person, with the rest taking place remotely.
Orange zones:
According to the Italian health ministry, people in orange zones are not allowed to travel from one municipality (town) to another, unless for essential reasons, by either public or private transport.
Bars, cafes, restaurants, pastry shops and other food businesses are closed.
Home delivery is still allowed, and takeaway is permitted until curfew at 10pm.
Museums and art galleries are closed.
All shops can remain open.
Hairdressers and beauticians can remain open.
Visits to the homes of family and friends outside your municipality are not allowed.
You can leave your municipality to visit your second home.
Red zones:
In red zones, all the orange zone rules apply, plus:
In addition to not being allowed to travel from one municipality to another, people in red zones are not allowed to move around within their own area unless for essential reasons, by either public or private transport.
You can only enter or leave an orange or red zone for the same urgent reasons.
All schools in red zones are closed.
Shops are to closed except for those deemed essential, which include supermarkets and other food shops, tabacchi, and pharmacies.
Hairdressers and beauticians are closed.
Visits to relatives and friends are not allowed, even within your own municipality,
Travel to second homes is also prohibited in red zones.
All team sports activities are suspended (solo exercise such as running or walking is allowed.)
The Aosta Valley, Italy. Image © PlanetSKI
