UPDATE: TRAVEL TO, LIVING IN ITALY DURING COVID-19

UPDATE: TRAVEL TO, LIVING IN ITALY DURING COVID-19

ANSA – COVID RESTRICTIONS EXTENDED TILL JULY 31:
Health Minister Roberto Speranza on Tuesday addressed the Senate to present the government’s new decree extending the restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus until July 31.

“Today 13 million people (worldwide) have been infected and half a million have died,” Speranza said. “It is evident that we cannot lower our guard and we must not be divided about this. There is debate within the scientific community but no one says it is not necessary to wear facemasks, keep one’s distance or wash hands.”

The measures include the obligation to wear facemasks on public transport, in shops, public offices, hospitals and clinics, and workplaces where it is not possible for people to be at least one metre apart from each other.

“There can be no zero risk without a vaccine,” the minister said. “We must not underestimate the pandemic risk. The circulation of the virus is accelerating and it is not losing strength”. He said the government was sticking to its ‘prudent line’ regarding arrivals from outside Europe after several outbreaks in Italy stemming from imported cases of infection.

“We must not turn back with the prevention measures in order to reignite our economy,” Speranza said. “We cannot render in vain the sacrifices made. Today there is a ban on arrivals and transit from 13 countries.** We will constantly update this list and the 14-day quarantine remains for all arrivals from extra-European countries.

“We are in danger of importing the novel coronavirus from citizens who come from abroad or Italian citizens returning home. The maximum attention is on migrant landings too, with a period of quarantine. Nothing will be underestimated”.

The minister added that the government has not yet made a decision on extending the coronavirus state of emergency, amid talk of it being extended until the end of October. (ANSA).

** The United States is not among those countries

ITALY LIFTS BAN ON CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
Italy has lifted a ban on carry-on luggage in overhead lockers on aircrafts to and from Italy, with effect from 15 July, reports Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. The dropping of the ban, which was introduced on June 26 for “health reasons” due to fears of covid-19 contagion, was confirmed on Radio 1 by Italy’s undersecretary for health, Sandra Zampa, reports Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

From July 15, travellers will be permitted to bring trolley luggage on board, while those carrying items of personal clothing such as jackets must place them in single-use sterilized containers that will be provided on the aircraft. Passengers must wear masks on board planes as well as when boarding and throughout their time at airports in Italy. (https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-lifts-hand-luggage-ban-on-flights.html)

ROME HOLDS SUMMER OPERA FESTIVAL IN 2,800-YEAR-OLD ROMAN ARENA
Rome’s Circus Maximus, the ancient chariot racing arena, is preparing to welcome the city’s summer opera festival, organised by Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, for the first time. Workers are putting the final touches to a giant stage and a high raised stand with seating for a maximum of 1,400 audience members, all of whose seats are spaced wide apart to allow for social distancing.

Rome’s opera house technical director, Francesco Arena, told Reuters news agency that the Circus Maximus is “returning in a way to its origins” by transforming itself “from a circus to a theatre, an opera house in this case.”

The opera festival under the stars will open on July 16 with a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, conducted by Daniele Gatti, which will be broadcast on Italy’s RAI 5 television channel.

FOR DETAILS: https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/from-chariot-races-to-opera-rome-reinvents-the-circus-maximus.html and https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-opera-under-the-stars-at-circus-maximus.html