On March 9, the Italian Government introduced a nationwide restriction on unnecessary movement as an urgent measure to slow the contagion of Covid-19: see the current statistics.
The underlying rule is clear: stay at home as much as possible and maintain interpersonal distance of one metre at all times.
Legislation regarding the Covid-19 lockdown
- Maintain interpersonal distance of one metre. Gathering in groups is not allowed at any time.
- If you have a temperature above 37.5°C, stay at home, call your family doctor and do not go to the hospital.
- Stay in your own town/municipality unless you absolutely have to move around for essential health/work reasons: you’ll need to carry a self-certification document with you due to police checks: download the self-certification document here or write down the same words on a piece of paper if you don’t have a printer. Companies are encouraged to allow their employees to work remotely where possible. You must have the self-certificate document on you even if you’re on foot.
- Coffee shops, shops, hairdressers, beauty salons and restaurants are closed, although restaurants can offer a home delivery service.
- Pharmacies, tobacconists and newsagents remain open as usual, as long as they guarantee interpersonal distance of one metre.
- Grocery stores and supermarkets remain open as usual, as long as they guarantee interpersonal distance of one metre. Large shopping centres will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Childcare facilities, schools and universities are closed. Pubs, cinemas, theatres, gyms, pools, discos, museums and libraries are closed. Meetings, conferences and events must not be held.
- Public offices remain open for essential and urgent services, often by appointment only. Check the website of your comune (for Florence, click here).
- No sporting events of any kind, whether in public or private.
A new ordinance (March 20) from the Italian Ministry of Health prohibits access to parks, villas, play areas and public gardens; prohibits outdoor recreation and play, although exercise is allowed in proximity to your home while maintaining the one-metre interpersonal distance rule; and restricts the use of second homes. Always refer to the official regulations: www.salute.gov.it
Symptoms and action to take
Do not leave the house and restrict human contact if you have a high temperature (above 37.5°C). Call your family doctor; do not go to the hospital or to the doctor’s surgery.
If you have been quarantined or have been in contact with somebody who has tested positive to the virus, you are forbidden to leave the house.
For the Municipality of Florence: persons who have been in contact with confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 and have come to Tuscany, or persons who have been in a high-risk area in the last 14 days must self-isolate, notifying their doctor (8am-8pm) accordingly or calling 055 5454777 (8am-8pm). For information, citizens can call freephone number 800 556060 (select option 1) from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Only call 118 in case of emergency.
Essential measures against Coronavirus
- Stay at home
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid close contact with people, keeping a distance of at least one metre.
- Do not shake hands or hug until the emergency has subsided.
- Do not touch your mouth, eyes or/and nose with your hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you sneeze or cough, or sneeze or cough into the inner fold of your elbow.
- Do not share glasses or bottles.
- If you have flu-like symptoms, do not go to the hospital emergency room or to a doctor’s surgery; call your family doctor.
- Clean surfaces with chlorine- or alcohol-based disinfectants.
- Use a mask only if you think you might be ill or if you assist ill people.
Read the legislation (in Italian):
- FAQs about the Io Resto a Casa legislation: http://www.governo.it/it/articolo/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-frequenti-sulle-misure-adottate-dal-governo/14278?fbclid=IwAR1VKQIvunHzEkTThrhXsBP39MjZayVDd6tWT9lC_DTvdX877Dx91n_f1zg
- www.governo.it/it/articolo/firmato-il-dpcm-9-marzo-2020/14276
- www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2020/03/08/20A01522/sg
- http://www.governo.it/it/articolo/coronavirus-conte-firma-il-dpcm-11-marzo-2020/14299
- March 20 ordinance by the Ministry of Health: http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_notizie_4283_0_file.pdf
Article last updated: March 26, 2020, 17:40
