Covid: Sicily goes white again from Saturday, Oct. 9
After six weeks in the yellow zone, as of Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, Sicily is back to white, two days earlier than the usual Monday deadline. This was announced by Regional Health Councillor Ruggero Razza after presenting the weekly bulletin on hospitalizations from Covid-19.
According to The Sun 24 Hours, the Island will advance its transition from yellow to white as early as Saturday, instead of Monday, thanks to new rules that call for there to be a color change No longer based on two consecutive monitoring, but on “fourteen days” in a “lower scenario than the one that prompted the restrictive measures.” And from the bulletins, Sicily has been showing white zone parameters since Thursday, Sept. 23.
Specifically, with a vaccination rate of 71 percent, weekly infections have sharply decreased: 47 per 100,000 population. Specifically, as of Friday, October 8, there were “only” 40 ICU admissions for Covid-19, about 5.4 percent. While less severe hospitalizations fell below 10%.
What can be done in the white zone? What changes for travelers?
In white zone you can avoid putting the mask outdoors. In addition, bars, restaurants, food and beverage businesses are open, as are shopping malls on weekends. Consumption at the counter for all customers is also allowed again, and there is no longer a curfew.
There remains the requirement of a green pass to access various services and attend indoor venues (with a mask) and the maintenance of spacing.
This shift has positive implications from a tourism perspective, as it allows travelers to enjoy the beauty of the Sicilian territory with greater freedom. To appreciate scents and colors, and to enjoy typical dishes within the setting of characteristic locales, without worrying about the time.
Only one municipality will enter the orange zone
Within this framework, only one municipality will have to wait a few more days to turn white. In fact, Mascalucia, in the province of Catania, will enter the orange zone starting Oct. 10. This, because of the high number of Covid positive in relation to those vaccinated. The ordinance will be valid until Wednesday, Oct. 20, when it is hoped it will change color. Finally, Francofonte, in the Syracuse area, the second orange municipality with Mascalucia, will remain orange until Oct. 13.
The overall trend on the Island is positive and you can travel, safely. There are many activities that can be done in Sicily, in compliance with anti Covid rules, that allow you to discover local traditions and curiosities. Restaurants, clubs, tours, museums, spas and sports centers. Switching to the white zone, therefore, will allow people to fully enjoy the beauty of this land in a quieter season.
Clarissa Marchese