“Addio !” to the Masks (but many Italians still wear them)

Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for in Italy, and puts a bit more distance between us and the last year and a half.

With all of Italy in the “white zone” (very low contagion), we bade farewell to the requirement of wearing a mask outdoors.  Nevertheless, at least half of Romans seem to be wearing them still.  Nationwide, Italians are clear-eyed about their responsibility to maintain their vigilance, because, as Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, the national Covid emergency commissioner said, “we are freer, but it’s not over.”

Outdoor masks must still be worn when it is not possible to maintain the 1.5-meter “safety distance” and must always be worn indoors, including on all transport.

As of today, 62.40 % of the Italian population over age 12 has been at least partially vaccinated and 33.31 is fully vaccinated.

On an unrelated note, but also a major contributor to national happiness: it is hard not to also celebrate how well Italy is doing in the European soccer championships and is now in the quarter-finals.

It is a happy, cathartic time to travel in Italy.  Italy has eliminated its Covid-free flight protocol for arrivals from the United States, a month after travel from the US was approved on these types of flights.  Vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans are welcomed with either proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result carried out within 48 hours of departure or proof of previous recovery from the virus.

And if you come soon, there will still be wild strawberries for you here in Rome, but they are ending soon, so make haste!  Usually enjoyed either with ice cream or simply with lemon juice and a bit of sugar, they are just as good eaten plain, as is.

Their perfume is indescribable.

Every week and every month offer some great treat in the world’s most wonderful country.  No quarantine; lesser crowds than in decades; tantalizing hotel rates in many Insider’s Italy favorites.

What are you waiting for ?  We’re here to make all of this happen now.  How long ago has it been since you have had an expression like this on your face ?