Border between Italian regions remain closed to all non-essential travel, as the latest emergency decree by Italy’s recently sworn in new government went into effect on Monday.
The existing ban on travel between region, which began right before the holidays on December 20 and was due to expire February 25 (after having been extended once already in February), is set to be in place until March 27.
Regional travel is only allowed for work, health or emergency reasons, or for returning to one’s own residence. Travel for tourism is not allowed.
The ban on non-essential travel applies to all regions, regardless of which zone they are in - red, orange, yellow - which is based on the region’s epidemiological risk which in turn determines looser or tighter restrictions.
Another rule already in place that was reconfirmed is the possibility to go visit family or friends: no more than two adults (plus in case their children under 14) can visit another household, no more than once a day. This however no longer applies to red zones, where visits are no longer allowed.
The main concern right now is with the new coronavirus variants that seem to be spreading at a fast rate. On February 21, three regions went from yellow to orange, bringing the total number of Italian regions classified as orange zones to nine (out of 20 - the remaining regions are classified as yellow). Being in an orange zone means you are not able to leave the town where you reside unless it’s for work, health or emergency reasons, and that bars and restaurants are only open for take out.
Ski slopes and facilities, which have remained closed all season, continue to be shut, as the government announced the extension of their closure the night before they were due to reopen.
