New Italy lockdowns are in place in six Covid red and orange zones across the country, from north to south.
As case numbers rise to unseen levels, the Italian government also swept in tough national restrictions on November 6. These include a national 10 p.m. national curfew and more shutdowns, until December 3.
Yet there are far tougher local lockdowns in high-risk regions, meaning a ban on all non-essential travel. Naturally that rules out tourism.
Under the latest emergency decree, the country is split into red, orange and yellow zones. So clearly you can expect the toughest rules in red zones, which again fall largely in the country’s north. That was the epicentre of the virus when Covid first broke out early in the year.
Though Calabria – the toe of Italy’s southern boot – is also a red zone this time round. Tourism in these places is no longer possible for a fortnight at least.
As museums close across the country, expect rules affecting travel and other freedoms to vary from one region to another. This depends on the corona alert level of the region seen in the map below. Six are in pretty much total lockdown again.
New Italy Lockdowns: Travel Alert
It’s déjà vu in Italy, with the country divided into different color zones according to Covid alert levels. The crackdown comes as new infections hit as high as 30,000 a day. And while lockdowns – total and partial – multiply across Europe.
Here’s what to know about the local lockdown rules in Italy. Including how long they will apply, and what you can – or can’t – do, while the restrictions last.
Italy Lockdowns: Travel Bans By Region
RED ZONES (Zona Rossa):
Under the new three-tier system, the highest-risk areas are the red zones. This means strict travel bans in and out. It also rules out tourism for the next couple of weeks.
- Lombardy including Milan
- Piedmont including Turin
- Aosta Valley (Valle d’Aosta).
- Calabria
How Long Do Rules Last: 15 days.
Stay At Home Orders: You can go out for shopping and other essential reasons. Plus for “individual physical activity in the vicinity of one’s home”.
Can You Travel In & Out Of Red Zones? Only for essential reasons including work, health and emergencies. Though also for essential travel reasons such as returning home, or taking a plane. Remember, you must have a signed declaration to show officials, proving your reasons for travel. (A link follows at the end of the story). Residents too must stay-at-home, with travel by public or private transport mostly banned. (Exceptions also include taking children to school).
Can You Transit A Red Zone? Yes if you are heading to regions where travel restrictions don’t apply. Or where you have a valid reason to travel.
What’s Closed? Restaurants, bars, gelaterie and pasticcerie are all closed. As are most other shops except for supermarkets and other food stores, pharmacies and newsstands. Hairdressers are open too, but beauticians are closed.
Back to food, takeouts are possible by the way, until 10 p.m. F&B outlets at gas stations on motorways, are also open. As they are at hospitals and airports. That’s with a 1 meter (3 ft) social distancing rule in place. On the other hand, fresh food markets are closed.
ORANGE ZONES (Zona Arancione):
Again tourism is out in the medium-high risk orange zones for at least the next two weeks.
- Puglia
- Sicily
How Long Do Rules Last: 15 days.
Stay At Home Orders: As above, leaving home for grocery shopping and other essential reasons, but also for fresh air, is fine. But residents aren’t allowed to leave their zone. The use of cars and public transport is limited to those “proven needs”.
Can You Travel In & Out Of Orange Zones? Again as above. Only for returning home, taking a plane or other “proven needs” of work, health or emergencies.
Do You Need Official Documents To Travel? Yes, the same signed declaration proving your reasons to travel.
What’s Open/Closed: As above, for red zones, with the exception according to the BBC, that both hairdressers and beauty salons can remain open.
YELLOW ZONES (Zona Gialla):
The “moderate risk” yellow zones have the most relaxed rules. For now they include:
- Central Italy: Lazio (Rome and its region), Tuscany, Umbria, Abruzzo and Marche.
- Southern Italy: Basilicata, Campania (Naples and its region), Sardinia and Molise.
- Northern Italy: Liguria, Veneto (Venice and its region), Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna. Plus the Province of Trento and Province of Bolzano
How Long Do The Rules Last? From November 5 until December 3.
Can You Travel About Yellow Zones? Yes, Italy is still open to travelers coming from safe countries. Yellow zones have a curfew starting at 10 p.m. You can move around freely by day – wearing a mask in all indoor and outdoor places.
Curfew Rules: Breaking curfew is only possible for essential work, health and emergency reasons. But also for taking a plane for example.
Do You Need Travel Forms? Yes, ready to show officials.
What’s Open? Bars and restaurants are open, but only until 6 p.m. Takeouts are possible until 10 p.m. Shops and shopping centers are open, but the latter close on weekends.
What’s Closed: In keeping with national shutdowns, all museums, cinemas and theatres are closed.
IMPORTANT: PRINT UP FORMS FOR RED, ORANGE ZONE TRAVEL
For travel within Italy, such as transit or travel to/from red and orange zones, you need a “self-certification” form. It’s available in PDF form here, via the Corriere della Sera website. It justifies your reasons for traveling in or out of the Italy’s new lockdown zones.
Thank you. This is a very comprehensive and concisely written recap.
I wonder why Rome is not at the same red level as the north? It would seem that a highly populated center would have more cases. I am happy that they are able to mitigate this in some parts of the country.
I applaud those countries that make the tough decisions to fight this virus.
Hi Mark thank you very much! I didn’t delve into the reasons for choosing you are right but it is based on infection rates and areas such as Lombardy (with Milan as capital) are very densely populated. Rome is half empty still. I agree with you on the tough decisions! Stay safe and great to hear from you.
I have briefly explained the “high risk” vs “moderate risk” Mark – without getting political. Their is protest in Italy. Some feel it’s unfair their regions have been targeted for new lockdowns. The criteria for these decisions comes down to hospital capacity and readiness to cope with projected winter surges in cases as well as current infection rates. Plus a whole host of other reasons. I may revisit soon!