Now that Italy has kicked off phase two and people start traveling a bit more to be reunited with relatives or to return to their residence in Italy, airlines have reopened their reservations.
According to a travel news site, Italy’s two main islands, Sicily and Sardinia, seem to be the regions getting more flight bookings. Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia in general have only recently been rediscovered by the global public for its uniqueness and charm. However, there is still a lot to be known before tourists even consider traveling to Italy in the foreseeable future.
Can I take a plane to go places?
Air travel is going to look much different from what we’re used to, at the airport and on the plane. Face masks are mandatory, both on the ground and on board the aircraft. And at the airports, thermal scanners will be in place and there will be distancing signs so people stay at least one meter from each other.
What does the government say?
Premier Conte stated in his recent interview to Corriere della Sera that the government is waiting to assess how the situation evolves before providing “precise information regarding dates and programming” for the summer season.
“We will be able to go to the sea, to the mountains, to enjoy our cities” – Conte said – “And it would be nice if the Italians spent their holidays in Italy, even if we do it differently, with rules and with caution.”
And the beach?
A summer without trips to the beach is unthinkable in Italy, and owners of private beach clubs and lidos are now scrambling to find ways to enforce social distancing on the beach in the hope that they might be able to reopen at some point this summer.
Inail, the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, has just published the rules and guidelines for beaches in Italy (which are still to be approved in the eventual governmental decree).
The rules state that:
- There will need to be five meter distance between the parasols
- The entrance to the beach (the free one included) will need to be booked
- The number of people on the beach will need to be limited
- Social distancing will remain unequivocal: no group sports will be allowed (for example, beach volley)
- No gatherings between the bathers or kids
- All swimming pools will remain closed.
What Trieste‘s summer will really look like remains to be seen. One thing is certain, it’s going to be as unorthodox as 2020 has so far been.
By In Trieste
