Italy updates new rules on travel to second homes over Christmas

Rome: The Italian government has clarified the new restrictions on travelling within Italy to second homes over the Christmas and New Year period.

Under Italy’s latest emergency decree, the goverment on Friday tightened the coronavirus rules over the Christmas and New Year period, as well as keeping many existing measures in place, as it seeks to avoid a new spike in infections over the holidays.

The new decree is in force until at least January 15th. Domestic travel will be limited not only within the higher-risk zones classed as red or orange under Italy’s tier system, but also between all regions from December 21st to January 6th, and between all towns on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

The new decree included restrictions on visiting second homes in Italy which last week appeared to state that travelling from your main residence to a second home anywhere in Italy was forbidden between December 21st to January 6th, regardless of zone colour.

The government may also reconsider the complete ban on travel between towns on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day amid widespread concern about how this rule would affect older people who are living alone, according to Italian media reports.

Under current rules, people are allowed to travel to vist relatives who are “not self-sufficient”, the government has stated, however only one person is allowed to visit at a time.