**Note: This article is no longer being updated. For the latest on Italy's coronavirus restrictions, please click here.**
The Italian government had said in early December that the country could begin to reopen from January 7th, which is when the current set of rules expires.
But as new cases of coronavirus remain higher than hoped, that isn't happening.
The Italian government has approved extensions to many rules from January 7th. Here's what we know so far.
What are the rules from January 7th?
Italy is in a “reinforced” yellow zone from January 7-8th, meaning shops and restaurants can open under limited hours but non-essential travel is restricted.
The government has confirmed that bars and restaurants would stay shut over the weekend of January 9-10.
Many of Italy's current restrictions stay in place and planned reopenings have been postponed, according to a government ordinance approved in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
High schools were due to resume teaching at least 50 percent of classes in-person from the 7th. This has been postponed to the 11th.
All museums, cinemas, theatres, galleries and other venues are expected to remain closed.
Bars and restaurants are only allowed to serve customers until 6pm even in yellow zones.
What about travel?
Non-essential travel between regions is to remain prohibited until at least January 15th.
International travellers who spent any part of the period from December 21st to January 6th outside Italy must continue to quarantine for 14 days after their arrival in Italy, even if they're entering Italy after the period itself. Find more information here.
People who leave and return to Italy after this time – i.e., people who spent the entire period between December 21st and January 6th in Italy and are only travelling from January 7th onwards – can show a negative Covid-19 test from the past 48 hours to avoid quarantining on arrival.
When will the rules change again?
The next Italian emergency decree is expected by January 15th.
It's not known what the government is planning, but any changes will depend on the coronavirus sitation in each region.
If the infection rate isn't dropping as hoped. it is likely that many rules will be kept in place.
Government ministers say they are waiting to see the weekly official health data reports from the Health Ministry, which are released every Friday afternoon, before they can make any decisions.
The number of currently positive cases in Italy is still dropping, but slowly, according to official data.
On Monday, when the numbers are usually lower than usual, Italy's health authorities reported 10,800 new cases within the past 24 hours and 348 more deaths.
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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