by In Trieste
Italy took another step towards normality as people can once again drink coffee at the bar since June 1st.
Italy’s restaurants and bars reopened for indoor service as well as outdoors from 1 June, in another step towards normality as the country winds down its covid-19 restrictions.
The move means that customers can once again take their coffee at the bar or eat lunch and dinner indoors following the easing of restrictions in place since mid-March.
- Customers are still obliged to wear masks when not seated, or consuming food or drink, and social distancing measures between tables remain in place.
- It will be mandatory to wear a face mask for any movement within the establishment, such as entering until you reach your table, going to the bathroom, paying at the register.
- It’s not possible to lay out shared foods like nuts, chips, as it was customary at aperitivo times in many cafés. So no aperitivo with your friends at the counter (but it can be served at the table).
- Buffets are also forbidden.
- Reservation at dining establishments is recommended, but not mandatory. The restaurant must keep a list of their customers for at least 14 days (for contact tracing).
- Waiters and staff will have to wear a face mask at all times. They must clean their hands frequently with disinfecting solutions, and before each table service. Gloves are not required.
- Disinfecting gels must be present throughout the establishment for customers to use, especially at the entrance and near the toilet.
- Where possible, outdoor spaces should be favored, always respecting the spacing of at least 1 meter. Where dine-in is possible, there must be a minimum of one-meter distance between tables and between customers at the same table.
- The one-meter rule applies to coffee shops as well, where you can now drink your capo at the counter,
as long as the one-meter distance can be guaranteed. - Inside establishments that do not have seats (such as small cafés), entry will be allowed to a limited number of customers at a time, based on the characteristics of each individual place, so as to keep the recommended one-meter distance between clients.
- Whenever possible, restaurants should offer the possibility to consult their menus online and on mobile phones; when not possible, menus should be in plasticized print, so that they can be easily disinfected after each use. Disposable paper menus are also allowed (we hope this option is not widely used given how eco-unfriendly it is.)
- If a business does not respect the rules in place, in addition to paying a fine, it will be closed for a period ranging from 5 to 30 days.
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