Sicily yellow from Aug. 30, with some municipalities orange
Sicily returns to yellow zone from Monday, Aug. 30, with some municipalities in particular becoming orange. Confirmation came from Minister Speranza before the weekend of August 28, due to the growth, albeit slightly, in the incidence of Covid-19 cases (77 per 100,000 population) and the increase in hospitalizations.
Instead, the municipalities of Barrafranca (Enna) and Niscemi (Caltanissetta) are orange, first until Sept. 3, then with an extension until and including Sept. 9. And, from Saturday, Sept. 4 until Tuesday, Sept. 14 (inclusive), the orange zone extends to nine other Sicilian municipalities, including eight in the Syracuse area. Specifically, these are the towns of Augusta, Avola, Pachino, Noto, Portopalo di Capo Passero, Rosolini, Ferla, Francofonte and Catenanuova (the latter in the province of Enna).*
Here, travel is restricted to one’s municipality and there is a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. They close malls on weekends and every day gyms, swimming pools, theaters and cinemas. Table service is not allowed in the restaurant and bar, but catering with take-out or delivery is allowed 22. Only in Barrafranca and Niscemi will restaurant and food and beverage activities continue to be allowed, with a limit of four people per table (except cohabitants) and a Green pass requirement for indoor venues.
*(The municipalities of Comiso and Vittoria (Ragusa) are back to yellow, after being orange from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 inclusive.)
But what changes for most of the Sicilian territory in the transition from white zone to yellow zone?
From the standpoint of travel, there will be no restrictions of any kind, neither within one’s own municipality, nor between different municipalities, nor between regions and beyond. So, travelers and tourists will be able to continue to enjoy the beauty of Sicily while complying with safety regulations. In any case, as of September 1, the Green pass requirement applies to travel by train, plane and ship, throughout Italy.
Going into more detail, in the transition from the white zone to the yellow zone, here is what can be done and what are the main rules to follow, as far as moving and sharing times are concerned:
- second homes outside the region can be reached, regardless of the colors of the territory of origin and arrival;
- cinemas, theaters, museums, spas, swimming pools, gyms, theme parks, conventions, fairs and events remain open under the regulations now in effect (green pass required);
- you can go to a restaurant, but with a requirement not to exceed 4 people per table (either outside or inside), with exceptions for cohabitants;
- The requirement to wear a mask outdoors (except for children under 6 years old) returns, so even at the beach, but you can remove it for sunbathing and swimming;
- there is no curfew, so no limitation on traffic hours;
- A maximum of 3 people can travel in the car, that is, the driver and two passengers in the rear seats spaced apart and with a faceplate.
So, from a practical point of view, there are not such sharp changes, but it is an important wake-up call to stimulate each of us to pay attention in our daily lives and continue with our activities, but without neglecting safety, for the well-being of the individual and others.
Clarissa Marchese