As three regions move into the low-restriction ‘white zone’ today, with more on the cards, we look at what living in a white zone means for daily life.
The white zone is for parts of the country where the Covid-19 risk is lowest. The tier classification was introduced in January and only Sardinia had managed to attain this level previously. That was before the health data took a nose-dive in March and the region moved back into the red zone.
Three regions enter white zone today
The Italian government confirmed three regions will be classified a ‘white zone’ from today, May 31st, following an improvement in their health data.
The regions of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Molise and Sardinia meet ‘white zone’ eligibility criteria as they have all registered fewer than 50 coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants for three weeks consecutively.
What changes for ‘white’ zones?
Most of the restrictions for yellow zones will be dropped. That includes the evening curfew and limited opening hours for restaurants and bars. Also reopening are indoor restaurants and bars, fairs, theme parks, conferences and indoor swimming pools. Those wishing to tie the knot can now do so.
Only mask-wearing and social distancing rules must remain in place in white zones, the health minister has said. Nightclubs and discos also remain suspended.
All of this is ahead of the national roadmap for reopening.
However, each authority can set independent rules which are stricter than the national guidelines.
Criteria for ‘white’ zones
For a region to become a white zone, it must record fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and an Rt (reproduction rate) number below 1 for three weeks in a row.
The national Rt number, used to calculate how fast the virus is spreading, continues to fall nationally, dropping to 0.72 from 0.78 last week.
The latest weekly health data said all Italy’s regions have an Rt below 1 and can be considered low risk.