Travel between 'low risk' Italian regions may be allowed from early June: minister
The Local Italy - [email protected]
Published: 21 May, 2020 CET.
Updated: Thu 21 May 2020 13:43 CET
People can "probably" travel freely around Italy again from June 3rd, depending on regional risk, Italy's Regional Affairs Minister Francesco Boccia has said.
The government is looking at relaxing travel rules, including the ban on travel between regions, as it continues to ease measures introduced in March aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
"It will depend on the conditions of the region. If a region is low risk, travel will probably be allowed from June 3rd," Boccia said on Thursday, the Ansa news agency reports.
"On interregional mobility, I ask for a little more patience," he said.
"Today most of the regions are at low risk, three are at medium risk, but we're talking about data from the past. I hope that all of them will become low risk next week.”
He did not state which three regions are seen as "medium risk".
He explained that the government wants to wait a few days for more data, in order to see whether the infection rate has been affected by the relaxation of the restrictions so far in May.
"If a region is high risk it certainly won't be able to receive entries from other regions, but let's hope that is not the case".
He went on to say the crowds at nightlife spots, seen since restrictions were eased on May 4th and again on May 18th, were "not tolerable" and "risk becoming a hotbed for infection."
Crowds in Milan's popular canalside area after lockdown rules were relaxed on May 4th. Photo: AFP
As Italy relaxes its coronavirus lockdown, some restrictions on travel have been dropped – but there are still restrictions on travel between regions, or to and from the country
The government stated on May 16th that people in Italy would be allowed to move between regions from June 3rd, though local authorities can limit travel if there's an increase in infections.
It also said international travel to and from EU countries would be allowed from the same date, with no obligation to self-isolate.
International and interregional movement can be limited by regional decree "in relation to specific states and territories, in accordance with the principles of adequacy and proportionality to the epidemiological risk", the government stated.
The external borders of the EU remain closed to non-essential travel until at least June 15th.
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The government is looking at relaxing travel rules, including the ban on travel between regions, as it continues to ease measures introduced in March aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
"It will depend on the conditions of the region. If a region is low risk, travel will probably be allowed from June 3rd," Boccia said on Thursday, the Ansa news agency reports.
"On interregional mobility, I ask for a little more patience," he said.
"Today most of the regions are at low risk, three are at medium risk, but we're talking about data from the past. I hope that all of them will become low risk next week.”
He did not state which three regions are seen as "medium risk".
He explained that the government wants to wait a few days for more data, in order to see whether the infection rate has been affected by the relaxation of the restrictions so far in May.
"If a region is high risk it certainly won't be able to receive entries from other regions, but let's hope that is not the case".
He went on to say the crowds at nightlife spots, seen since restrictions were eased on May 4th and again on May 18th, were "not tolerable" and "risk becoming a hotbed for infection."
Crowds in Milan's popular canalside area after lockdown rules were relaxed on May 4th. Photo: AFP
As Italy relaxes its coronavirus lockdown, some restrictions on travel have been dropped – but there are still restrictions on travel between regions, or to and from the country
The government stated on May 16th that people in Italy would be allowed to move between regions from June 3rd, though local authorities can limit travel if there's an increase in infections.
It also said international travel to and from EU countries would be allowed from the same date, with no obligation to self-isolate.
International and interregional movement can be limited by regional decree "in relation to specific states and territories, in accordance with the principles of adequacy and proportionality to the epidemiological risk", the government stated.
The external borders of the EU remain closed to non-essential travel until at least June 15th.
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