REMINDER: What are the coronavirus rules in Italy over New Year?
Italy goes back under tough 'red zone' restrictions over New Year, and the government has warned it will crack down on rule-breaking. Here's a reminder of what we can and can't do.
Italy goes in and out of lockdown several times over the Christmas and New Year period, as the government aims to stop infections being spread during festivities.
CALENDAR: What are Italy's new Covid-19 rules over Christmas and New Year?
The whole country goes back under strict 'red zone' rules again on Thursday, December 31st until January 3rd.
The Italian interior ministry said on Wednesday that thousands of extra police officers would be out enforcing the rules over New Year.
Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said an additional 70,000 officers would be deployed to carry out checks, and that social media would be monitored as police crack down on illegal parties at venues such as private villas or on luxury yachts, La Repubblica reports.
"We know that these meetings are being organized through social media. We will carry out targeted checks because we must prevent contagions that could fuel the third wave," she said.
Lamorgese warned people to "carefully assess the risks" of "failing to comply with the rules set by the government to contain infections", which include being fined up to 1,000 euros.
Anyone found to have given false information to police could even be prosecuted, facing a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
What are the lockdown rules over New Year?
As Italy goes back under 'red zone' rules from Thursday, you should plan to leave your house only for essential reasons like going to the supermarket or seeing a doctor.
Travel is not allowed even within your own town, or between towns or regions without a valid, urgent reason.
There is one key exception: you are allowed to travel within the same region, no more than once a day and with no more than one other person, to visit friends or family at home. Children under 14 or others in need of care are also allowed to come.
This means you are not allowed more than two guests at any time, not counting children under 14.
Bars and restaurants are closed, as are all shops except food stores, pharmacies, news agents, launderettes and hairdressers.
Curfew remains from 10pm to 5am every day, including on New Year's Eve, when it has in fact been extended until 7am on New Year's Day.
Individual outdoor exercise is allowed near your home (though no distance is specified) and taking your dog out is still allowed.
Travel to a second home within your region is allowed.
When going out for any of these reasons on the days Italy is classed as a red zone you will need to take a completed self-declaration form with you.
SEE ALSO: Here's the form you need to leave the house in Italy over Christmas
Non-essential travel between regions is banned for the entire period December 21st-January 6th.
Everyone arriving from overseas must continue to quarantine for 14 days on arrival during this period.
Travelling out of your region for work, health, emergency reasons, or to return home is permitted at all times (again, you will need a completed self-declaration form.)
The rules will change again on January 4th, when Italy will be under less restrictive 'orange zone' rules for one day before lockdown begins again on the 5th, ahead of Epiphany.
Please be aware that different regions of Italy may have additional local restrictions. Check the latest rules where you are: find out how to do that here.
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Italy goes in and out of lockdown several times over the Christmas and New Year period, as the government aims to stop infections being spread during festivities.
CALENDAR: What are Italy's new Covid-19 rules over Christmas and New Year?
The whole country goes back under strict 'red zone' rules again on Thursday, December 31st until January 3rd.
The Italian interior ministry said on Wednesday that thousands of extra police officers would be out enforcing the rules over New Year.
Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said an additional 70,000 officers would be deployed to carry out checks, and that social media would be monitored as police crack down on illegal parties at venues such as private villas or on luxury yachts, La Repubblica reports.
"We know that these meetings are being organized through social media. We will carry out targeted checks because we must prevent contagions that could fuel the third wave," she said.
Lamorgese warned people to "carefully assess the risks" of "failing to comply with the rules set by the government to contain infections", which include being fined up to 1,000 euros.
Anyone found to have given false information to police could even be prosecuted, facing a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
What are the lockdown rules over New Year?
As Italy goes back under 'red zone' rules from Thursday, you should plan to leave your house only for essential reasons like going to the supermarket or seeing a doctor.
Individual outdoor exercise is allowed near your home (though no distance is specified) and taking your dog out is still allowed.
Travel to a second home within your region is allowed.
When going out for any of these reasons on the days Italy is classed as a red zone you will need to take a completed self-declaration form with you.
SEE ALSO: Here's the form you need to leave the house in Italy over Christmas
Non-essential travel between regions is banned for the entire period December 21st-January 6th.
Everyone arriving from overseas must continue to quarantine for 14 days on arrival during this period.
Travelling out of your region for work, health, emergency reasons, or to return home is permitted at all times (again, you will need a completed self-declaration form.)
The rules will change again on January 4th, when Italy will be under less restrictive 'orange zone' rules for one day before lockdown begins again on the 5th, ahead of Epiphany.
Please be aware that different regions of Italy may have additional local restrictions. Check the latest rules where you are: find out how to do that here.
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