New Delhi (NVI): Italy’s government today said that it will allow travel to and from abroad from June 3, as it moves to unwind one of the world’s most rigid coronavirus lockdowns.
This is a key step in the country’s effort to revive the economy after more than two months of lockdown.
According to the decree approved by Italy’s Cabinet, travel within the country will also be allowed from the same day.
However, restrictions on movement within regions will end earlier on May 18. The statement also states that local and state governments can curb travel in certain areas if there is a spike in new infections.
Although, some regions urged the Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, to roll back the restrictions sooner, but Conte has pushed for a gradual rollback of restrictions to prevent a second wave.
The regions can reactivate all sectors of the economy that might still be shuttered, so long as safety protocols are followed. National health authorities will monitor the situation to make sure infections are kept in check, the decree said.
Italy was the first European country to impose nationwide restrictions in March, only sanctioning an initial relaxation of the rules on May 4, when it allowed factories and parks to reopen.
So far, more than 31,600 Italians have died of COVID-19 since the outbreak came to light on February 21, the third-highest death toll in the world after that of the United States and Britain.
