Italy imposes travel ban during Christmas to prevent another virus wave

Italy, which topped
the list of worst hit countries by the first wave of COVID-19, has announced adoption of stern national
travel restrictions for the Christmas holidays on Thursday to prevent such
destruction from happening again, reported AFP.

“If we let
down our guard now, the third wave is just around the corner.” Health
Minister Roberto Speranza told parliament on Wednesday.

Travelling across
the country will be prohibited from December 21 to January 6 while barring of
inter-town travel will be instated on December 25, 26 and January 1.

The
new travel ban in addition to existing curfew and other regulations in place,
aims to curb unnecessary movement across the country during the festive period
by limiting the number of gatherings.

Other
regulations, which are expected to be released later on Thursday, might mandate
10-day quarantine period for those arriving Italy from foreign countries from
December 20 onwards.

Meanwhile,
bars and restaurants are expected to remain closed in regions in red or orange
zones. A current 6 pm closure in yellow zones may also remain in place.

Ski
slopes and cruises however, are expected to be off-limits

Reports
suggest that the coming restrictions are an attempt to avoid missteps made over
the summer after the lockdown lifted, when the return of vacationers fuelled a
new rise in cases.

As
far as the newly recorded numbers are concerned, Health Ministry recorded 20,709
new cases on Wednesday and 684 deaths, bringing the cumulative toll to more
than 1.6 million infections.