Coronavirus: all the rules for Christmas and the holidays
The rules for Christmas 2020 are many, many, and no one probably imagined them. At least not until this [...]
Le rules for Christmas 2020 are many, many, and no one probably imagined them. At least not to this extent. The new dpcm, passed on December 4 and valid for all holidays, places numerous restrictions and has raised quite a few concerns. Especially when it comes to family reunions and celebrations with loved ones.
In this article:
Already in recent weeks there had been talk of the inability to spend the holidays in the mountains: Ski lifts will remain closed until after Epiphany. And to no avail were the proposals (and protests) of the regions.
But what are the rules for Christmas? How should one behave in order not to incur penalties and increase the risk of infection? Let's find out together.
Rules for Christmas, between gift exchanges and family get-togethers
Moving. From Dec. 21 to Jan. 6, there will be no moving between regions, regardless of their colors. The only concessions are health, work and return reasons to one's home/residence. Until Dec. 20, therefore, one can move from one yellow region to another without the need for a valid reason.
Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. On December 25 and 26 and January 1, you will not be allowed to leave your municipality of residence.
Did you get your flight cancelled, miss your connection, land late?
You could get up to 600€ compensation per person
Second homes. If you have a second home, perhaps in a holiday resort, you can reach it before the 20th if located in another region (yellow) or, if located in the same region (yellow), at any time except the 25th, 26th and 1st.
Restaurants. Restaurants will also be allowed to stay open for lunch on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany, with tables of 4 people maximum. Take-out will be allowed until 10 p.m., while bars will be allowed to stay open in yellow zones from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas shopping. Stores will be open throughout the holiday period until 9 p.m., malls will be closed on weekends.
Curfew. A curfew is in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., including Christmas Eve, while on Jan. 1 it will be extended until 7 a.m.
Family reunions. On the 25th, 26th and 1st you will not be able to celebrate with family members/friends located in a municipality other than your own, but it is always strongly recommended to be only among cohabitants.
Hotels. Hotels remain open in every region, but may not hold any New Year's Eve dinner/wake (restaurants must remain closed on the evening of the 31st).
Cruises. From December 21 to January 6, every cruise is suspended.
Cinemas and theaters. Throughout the holiday period they must remain closed.
Foreign travel. Travel abroad is not prohibited: it is possible to leave the yellow regions and spend your vacation in countries that accept travelers from Italy but, upon return, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory.
Mass. Midnight Mass will not be celebrated: masses will be scheduled to allow the faithful to observe the 10 p.m. curfew.
The government's answers to citizens' doubts
Having the rules for Christmas raised quite a few doubts, the government has decided to provide some clarification by responding to the most frequent questionsi. First, if a parent lives alone, can children and grandchildren celebrate with him/her? The answer is yes, if they all live in the same municipality (subject to the advice not to be among noncohabitants, especially if we are talking about frail individuals). On Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1, however, you cannot join the person alone unless he or she is in need of assistance. In the case of separated or custodial parents with minor children, one may also move between December 21 and January 6 to go to different municipalities or regions or abroad to spend the holidays together.
As for the family reunifications, until Dec. 21 are also allowed between different regions and are extended to pairs of boyfriends. Thus, travel to "the municipality where you have your residence or where your home is, that is, the place where you live continuously or periodically" is permitted.
If you are returning from abroad, perhaps because you are away on business, only a negative swab taken at least 48 hours earlier (coming from European countries) is required until December 20. After that date, a 14-day quarantine will be required.
