How Are Things In Italy ?

How are things in Italy ?

Things are… Italian.

Indeed, as much of the world waits it out, Italy continues to go around the sun.

Italians are living in their piazze and on their streets, just as they always have.

Museums are full but never permitted to be overcrowded.  There is a splendid selection of special exhibitions on now, some of the best of recent years.

Restaurants are full, with social distancing and impeccable cleanliness. Of course, they are open only to those who are fully vaccinated (rule applied only to age 12 and over.)

This is a man who has not eaten in Italy for two years. Look at the expression of pure joy !

Gifted Italian cooks like Pamela continue to teach those who long to learn.

Water is running through fountains.

Markets are glorious.

Artisans continue to make beautiful things. These are slippers to be worn by the young pages of the Palio.

In Amalfi, some Italians are swimming.

Store windows are beautiful.

Babies are born.

Everyone is watchful, everyone is careful.

Few Italians will let slip through their hands what Italy has acquired in these last two years: normality of life.

Italianita’.

The sun is rising, the sun is falling.  (Sunsets this year are especially beautiful.)

I have not been to the United States for three years, but through friends and family, I know that pandemic anxiety and stress characterize every day.

Each American state has its own Covid mandates.

Italy has one national policy.

You must wear a mask in all outdoor and all indoor public places.

In public transport, including taxis and trains, you must wear an FFP2 mask.

These are sold everywhere, and the price has been capped at .75 cents maximum per mask.

Police can issue fines of between 400-1,000 euros to those who refuse to comply with the rules on wearing masks. Everyone wears masks. Often very pretty ones too. The police now in some cities are wearing pink.  The father of a baby recently baptized by the pope in St. Peter’s wore a burgundy FFP2 that coordinated beautifully with his burgundy jacket.

Almost every business and service in Italy is accessible only to those who can show proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid-19, or in some cases, a negative test result. Included on the list are restaurants, hotels, public transport, and museums.  (Applicable only to those 12 and over.)

Your CDC vaccination card is all that you need and is interchangeable with the Italian “Green Pass” (vaccination pass).

From February 1, proof of vaccination is required to enter all public offices, banks, and post offices.

Italy requires vaccines for all over-50s who are resident in the country, and those who refuse to be vaccinated will face fines from February 1st.

Do you see why I feel secure in Italy? Why our travelers who visited over the holidays say that they felt more relaxed than they had in two years?

When are you coming to Italy ?