Italy tightens rules after record of nearly 1,000 deaths in …

Six out of ten Italians want to renounce personal freedom in the interests of public health.

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Now is not the time to travel or to go skiing during the Christmas holidays. That message lies in the new measures that took effect in Italy on Friday, and will last until January 15. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is keen to avoid a third wave after the holidays, bearing in mind the sad daily record of 993 corona deaths on Thursday.

Cruises are prohibited during the two weeks of the Christmas holidays. Italians who go skiing in Austria or in Switzerland – although this is strongly discouraged – have to isolate themselves at home for two weeks in Italy. EU nationals traveling to Italy must be able to present a negative covid test upon their arrival in Italy from December 10 to avoid quarantine.

The Italians are allowed to have lunch at a restaurant at Christmas, and those who celebrate Christmas at home are strongly recommended not to invite people outside the home circle. Parties, both public and private, are prohibited. And on New Year’s Eve, a curfew in Italy goes into effect at 10 PM, which lasts until 7 AM on New Year’s Day.

The measures are supported in Italy. According to the socio-economic research institute Censis, 57.8 percent of the population wants to renounce personal freedoms in the interests of public health. Almost 80 percent understand why there will be an intertwining during the Christmas period.

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