Corona rules: Italy rigorously sharpened shortly before New Year's Eve - nevertheless, a big problem looms

Created: 12/27/2021, 7:33 PM

By: Patrick Mayer

Risk of contagion: crowds in the streets of Naples, just before Christmas.

© IMAGO / Antonio Balasco

Discos, FFP2 masks, museums - Italy tightened the Corona rules at short notice between Christmas and New Year's Eve - one more time.

Vacationers need to know that.

Munich / Rome - the southern Europeans probably imagined it differently.

Here, where Christmas is celebrated with particularly colorful illustrations on the streets and extensive family celebrations.

If it weren't for the omnipresent coronavirus pandemic, which is now characterized by the Omikron variant.

Because the number of corona infections in Italy shot up again in the past few days, the Italian government now had to readjust.

Corona rules in Italy: Italy is tightening measures due to the Omikron variant

Specifically: The Covid rules have been tightened again. After the measures to contain the pandemic were strict before Christmas *. In December, for example, a compulsory vaccination for teachers, lecturers, police officers and the military came into force. All employees from the health sector had to go to the booster. And the 3G app “Greenpass” has been a compulsory proof at work since autumn.

Holidaymakers must also show (at least) one negative rapid test upon entry *, this is checked on a random basis.

Important: The test must not be older than 24 hours.

However, all of this was apparently no longer enough for the country that stretches between the winter sports areas in South Tyrol and mild Apulia.

Because: As the

reports, Italy is once again threatened with a care emergency in the corona pandemic *.

Only between December 24th and 27th, more than 800 nurses are said to have been infected with the insidious corona virus, said Antonio De Palma, president of the nursing union “Nursing Up”.

Corona rules in Italy: Further tightening will come into force before New Year's Eve

Just before New Year's Eve and New Year's, the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi decided by means of a decree of December 25th to tighten the corona:

• Discos, clubs and other dance halls

  have to close for the time being.

  This also and especially applies to New Year's Eve.

• Public transport, cinemas, theaters and museums:

  a medical mask is no longer enough.

  It is mandatory to wear an FFP2 mask *.

• In the open air with a lot of public

  traffic - for example on shopping streets - mouth and nose protection must be worn again.

In the video: Corona pandemic - Italy again imposes mask requirements outdoors

Italy had recently contained the pandemic comparatively well thanks to a high vaccination rate and issued many easing measures.

For example, the corona booster campaign (as in Germany) between Piedmont and Sicily is well advanced.

But Omikron is also increasingly causing problems for the southern EU partner.