L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano W h e n c o m p a - r e d t o o t h e r E u r o - p e a n c o u n t r i e s , I t a l y h a s managed to keep C o v i d - 19's dreaded second wave under control, at least so far. The ubiquitous — and largely well-tolerated— use of face masks, along with a capillary control of potential c l u s t e r s , m e a n s t h a t t h e c o u n t r y s t i l l m a i n t a i n s lower infection rates than its neighbor, France, as well as the UK and Spain. However, cases have been steadily on the rise for the p a s t f e w w e e k s a n d t h i s , while largely expected due to the colder weather set- ting in and people spending more time indoors, where s p r e a d i n g o f t h e d i s e a s e happens more easily, called f o r s w i f t a c t i o n o n t h e Government's behalf. I n t h e l a t e h o u r s o f Monday, October 12, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte a n d M i n i s t e r f o r H e a l t h R o b e r t o S p e r a n z a signed a new Decree that will remain in force for the next 30 days. Its content has b e e n a p p r o v e d a l s o b y regional governments and focuses largely on the use of face masks and on limiting l a r g e g a t h e r i n g s , b o t h i n public and private places. H e r e a r e t h e m a i n changes to the current sta- t u s q u o t h e n e w D e c r e e brings about. C h a n g e s i n r e s t a u - r a n t s , c a f é s a n d b a r s ' opening hours R e s t a u r a n t s , b a r s a n d cafés have to close at mid- n i g h t , b u t c o n s u m i n g drinks or food while not sit- ting at a table is no longer a l l o w e d a f t e r 9 p m . T h i s rule aims at limiting large g a t h e r i n g s o u t s i d e a n d i n s i d e b a r s , e s p e c i a l l y a t weekends. 2. No more parties P a r t i e s a r e n o l o n g e r allowed, neither outdoors nor indoors. Official public and religious ceremonies like weddings are possible, b u t o n l y w i t h a l i m i t e d amount of people present, wearing face masks and in respect of social distancing. Banquets and celebrations connected to them can take place, but with a maximum of 30 people and in compli- ance with current regula- t i o n s — s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g must be kept and face masks worn at all times. P r i v a t e g a t h e r i n g s a t home, such as dinner parties with family and friends, are not prohibited, but should not exceed the number of 6 p e o p l e . S o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g should be respected and face masks should be kept on. 3. Face masks always on Face masks keep on being compulsory indoors in pub- lic places and are now com- pulsory at all times also outdoors (earlier decrees required them outdoors only if keeping social distancing was impossible). Their use, as mentioned in the point above, is also highly recom- mended indoors, when peo- p l e f r o m m o r e t h a n o n e family nucleus are present. They remain compulsory in schools and work places. They need to be worn also w h e n p r a c t i c i n g c e r t a i n types of physical activity, such as walking, but not w h e n c a r r y i n g o u t l o n e sport activities, such as bik- ing and running. 4. Stop to group ama- teur sports A l l a m a t e u r c o n t a c t sports' activities and com- petitions are suspended, but t h e y c a n b e c o n t i n u e d a t professional level. In other words, team sports such as soccer, volleyball or basket- ball are no longed allowed at amateur level but profes- sional championships and tournaments can carry on. Lone sports can keep being practiced, always respecting the necessary regulations mentioned in the previous paragraphs. 5. Professional sport e v e n t s c a n t a k e p l a c e but with limited public S p o r t a t p r o f e s s i o n a l level goes on. A lot of words and ink have been wasted in the past months about the importance — principally economic — of keeping pro- f e s s i o n a l s p o r t a c t i v i t i e s going even during the emer- gency with, however, a ris- i n g n u m b e r o f C o v i d - 1 9 cases registered in Serie A in t h e p a s t f e w w e e k s . A s s i s t i n g t o p r o f e s s i o n a l games and competitions is allowed but only at a maxi- mum of 15% of the venue's capacity and with no more t h a n 1 0 0 0 s p e c t a t o r s i n t o t a l f o r o u t d o o r v e n u e s (such as stadiums) and 200 f o r i n d o o r v e n u e s . O n e m e t e r d i s t a n c e m u s t b e guaranteed and temperature must be measured before accessing seats. 6 . N o m o r e s c h o o l trips While our children and t e e n s a r e s a f e l y b a c k t o s c h o o l ( a v e r y m i n i m a l amount of cases has been registered in schools since the beginning of the teach- ing year), didactic trips, vis- its, student exchange pro- g r a m s h a v e a l l b e e n s u s - pended for the time being. Training activities, however, remain in place. 7. Testing and quaran- tine rules have changed The main quarantine rule remains the same: people e x p o s e d t o C o v i d - 1 9 s t i l l have to respect a 14 days quarantine period, starting on the last day of contact with the infected person. However, another option is introduced by the 12th of October Decree: quarantine can be reduced to 10 days (from the last time of expo- sure to the virus) if either a molecular or antigenic test, carried out on the 10th day, results negative. In other words, quarantine can be r e d u c e d o f f o u r d a y s b y p r o v i n g n e g a t i v i t y t o t h e virus through test. It is how- ever advised to all people living or working in strict contact with people at risk (the elderly, the immune- depressed etc) to undertake a test even when opting for a longer quarantine. CHIARA D'ALESSIO Two girls wearing face masks: this is the new normal in Italy (Photo Michele D'Ottavio/Dreamstime) N e w a n t i C o v i d - 1 9 r e s t r i c t i o n s implemented in Italy NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS

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