L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano F inally, Italy is up and work- ing again. Our borders are open to all other EU countries, stores and restau- rants finally welcome custo- mers and patrons, and our museums, too, are able to display their treasures to the world again. We are now in a phase of "cohabitation" with the virus, where we'll try to get back to normal, while maintaining our guard high to avoid the infection spreading again. A new form of normality, to which we need to get used quickly, as it is difficult to predict when the world'll be finally free from Covid-19. While levels of infections in Italy are currently low and under control, it is essential to keep up some of the habits we got during lockdown, to make sure the situation doesn't precipitate again. Sure, we are now free to leave the house when we want, have coffee al bar, and eat out with friends, but some rules remain. Social distancing is still key, with a safety distance of one meter to be respected at all times when outside and two meters when exercising. F a c e masks are compulsory in all places where this distan- ce cannot be respected, such as shops or public transports, as well as restau- rants and cafés excluding, of course, when you eat or drink. However, stricter regulations on face masks- wearing are in place in some regions (in Lombardy, for instance, they are compul- sory even outdoors). Disposable gloves should be used when shopping and are usually provided by shops themselves. Temperature checks are a key instrument to pre- vent the spreading of the virus. They are compulsory to enter all public buildings and offices, at train stations and airports and they are recommended before accep- ting patrons in restaurants and bars; the latter are under the obligation to con- trol the number of patrons accessing their premises and gathering outside, in order to a v o i d g a t h e - rings. Be aware that, in fact, large gatherings are forbidden at home, too: that is, you can have dinner with a couple of friends but no large parties. Bookings and reservations are also advised for restaurants, museums, gyms, hairdres- sers and spas. Sadly for all of us Italians, notoriously touchy-feely, we still can't kiss nor hug, even if we are related or good friends. But cohabiting with the virus doesn't only mean rules: there's also something to be happy about. For instance, most of our museums and arti- stic attractions are now open again to the public. But let's forget queues and being crammed one against the other while trying to see the beauty around us, because these — rather unpleasant — things are a memory of the past. Let's see why. The first of all of our attractions to open up again to the public was the Greek archaeological site of P a e s t u m , near Naples, almost a month ago, on the 18th of May (another beauty of ancient history and archaeology, P o m p e i i , opened on the 23rd). The site pioneered some of the control techniques used now on a wider scale in all other archaeological and artistic sites in the country, such as temperature measu- rement and a restricted amount of visitors allowed into the site at the same time. This last idea is cur- rently implemented in all our museums and cultural sites, including Leonardo's Last Supper, where only 5 people at a time are allowed in, as opposed to the 35 of pre-pandemic times. In fact, some pointed out how this less crammed, more intima- te way of enjoying art may be the beginning of cultu- ral slow tourism, where visitors will have the oppor- tunity to enjoy art at a slower, more meditative pace. Online booking is also warmly recommended: a good habit regardless, which we Italians should have embraced well before the pandemic. In these first weeks of full cohabitation with the virus, one of the most interesting and innovative ways to limit risks while enjoying artistic attractions has been adop- ted in the D u o m o o f Florence, which opened to the public on the 22nd of May. Here, visitors are given social-distancing necklaces, that vibrates every time safety distance is not kept. Similar is the idea adopted by the Galleria dell'Accademia — home to Michelangelo's David — which, instead of a necklace, proposes an app with the same aim. A similar approach has been chosen for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which reopened on the 27th of May: here, visitors must wear a special device that warns in case safety distan- ce is not respected. Moreover, only 15 people at a time can enter the structu- re, rigorously wearing face masks. In Rome, the Colosseum, the Vatican M u s e u m s and the Raffaello exhibit at the Scuderie del Quirinale have all reopened to visitors, with strict rules implemented, of course, including online ticket bookings, compulsory face masks and limited number of visitors allowed. And this is how Italy tries to go back to a regular pace of life: social distancing, no hugs, face masks and strict controls on gatherings and body temperature. But also less crowds and a more relaxed approach to art and culture: something, I belie- ve, we may well get happily used to. CHIARA D'ALESSIO Si riparte! But with some news LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE Face masks are the new normal in Florence and everywhere else in Italy (Photo: Dreamstime)

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