Reopening Italy, A Day by Day Account
This is our continuing story discussing the reopening of Italy, day by day amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic..
Background: On March 9, 2020, Italy was the first country in the world to issue lockdown orders for all its citizens. Plus, we wrote about the entire experience here.
May 19, 2020 – Vaccine Found? Seems Promising!
Interesting news yesterday. Moderna, an american Biotech claims they have successfully completed phase I trials of their COVID-19 Vaccine. This is encouraging news!
Also, Andrea and I visited the mall, and downtown Modena yesterday. Indeed, it was quite the day! Parking lots full, people having coffee and eating food, all while social distancing. If this is what life after COVID-19 is, I’ll take it! Check out our video for more!
May 18, 2020 – Day 15 – Almost Freedom Day.
Funny thing. Today, in Italy, is “almost freedom day”. Yes folks, after the COVID-19 Pandemic, today we get a little more freedom. Here’s some of the things we get to look forward to today.
Everyone must wear masks in closed public places, i.e. in stores, museums, and on public transport
If you have a fever of >37.5C, you must stay home.
Retail Stores Reopen – with a distance of one meter, entrances/exit.
Coffee bars, restaurants and pastry shops, also reopen.
Museums, churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are all reopening.
Beaches open, 10 square meters per umbrella, and at least one and a half meters between the beds.
Sports teams can resume training and work out together, but still no competition.
Next phase of reopening in Italy
May 20 – Driving schools / testing reopens
May 25 – gyms and swimming pools reopen
From 3 June, however, Italy reopens the borders with the EU countries, with the United Kingdom, Andorra, and Monaco. However, cruise services are suspended
What Stays Closed?
All Schools remain closed.
Wellness centers, spas are still closed for the time being.
May 16, 2020 – Day 13 Of Italy Reopening After COVID-19
The department of civil protection (Italian Government) announced that on Monday, May 18 2020, almost all remaining businesses will reopen. Indeed, there are very few exceptions, making it quite an exciting time. Also, life is returning to normal. For example, yesterday, we went for a walk in Modena. There was a slightly lower than average number of people walking around. Actually, its exactly as I expected considering most retail shops were closed. One thing that shows hope is that we saw many stores getting ready for their reopening on Monday. Sure, things will be different in the post COVID-19 world. Things will be cleaner, and there will be fewer people squished together. But, it’s a new normal I’m happy to take part in.
In today’s video, we discuss all the de-regulation and the specific points of what we can/can’t do on Monday. Additionally, we talk about the next key date: June 3, 2020.
May 14, 2020
Italy is moving forward to its Phase III of reopening, and everyone is very excited. At the same time, citizens are doing their part to ensure they follow the rules. For example, social distancing and mask-wearing are top of mind. Also, new COVID-19 cases are going down, and there are lots of recoveries. Indeed, lockdown is seen to have been a meaningful success here in Italy.
Also, yesterday, the EU announced plans to reopen travel within Europe. Indeed, there’s some exciting news!
May 12, 2020 – Day 9
Wow, what a fun day yesterday was! I never thought I’d say it… but going to the hardware store, the electronics store, AND the food store in one afternoon. How exciting! Otherwise, it was a pretty standard day. The diet is going really well, just hit 7kg loss. Hopefully, it continues for a while! I know I’ll still be keeping up with it.
Here is our latest video! I hope you like it 😉
May 9, 2020 – Day 6 in to the Reopening of Italy
Friends, I’m not sure if its a blessing or a curse. But, there’s lots of people out there in our town, and cities in Italy. Its almost as though many people have decided to just forget about the lockdown and go back to their own daily routine. To be honest, I can’t say I blame them. People are tired of being stuck at home. To be sure, I think most people get it. Most people are following the rules, but, unless the vast majority follows the rules, COVID-19 will persist, and there will be a second, and perhaps a third or even fourth wave.
Similarly, some countries have already started to offer insight in to when we can travel again.
What Countries Can I Travel Too Now?
From what I understand, there are only two countries that you can travel too, and I’ll explain the details. Having said that, this isn’t to be taken as advice. Rather, I’m just repeating what I’ve read, and citing the sources:
Austria allows travel into the country, however, you must be able to produce a medical certificate stating you are negative to COVID-19 within the past four days. Please see https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information for more information. Also, it should be noted that air travel in to Austria is significantly impacted. So, perhaps this info is ahead of the curve, so to speak.
South Korea is also apparently testing all incoming passengers to the airport. Actually, South Korea has had incredible success with mass testing for COVID-19. As a result, they have been able to beat the virus rather quickly.
In todays video, we talk all about when and where we might travel again, along with some encouraging COVID-19 results here in Italy.
May 7 2020
Yesterday afternoon, Andrea and I went out for a walk in the park. In case you didn’t know, we live right by a park that is about 2km long. It’s rather beautiful and treelined. For about 6 weeks, Andrea and I were not allowed to go out, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that Italy is Reopening, people are allowed to walk again in the park. Also, the state of emergency got lifted. So, that’s some really good news!
As for our cruise in Aug, unfortunately that one has been cancelled. I can’t say I’m surprised. Indeed, I gave it just a 40% chance of happening. For sure, we will be traveling locally as soon as we’re able. I guess it’s a blessing in disguise! Who wouldn’t want to see Italy without all the tourists!? What a unique experience it shall be!
Last, check out our video for the latest COVID-19 stats here in Italy. I think you’ll find quite a surprise!
May 5-6, 2020 – Life Slowly Rebooting
Yesterday, Andrea and I walked to his parents house for a quick visit. Indeed, life looks like it’s starting the reboot process here in Modena Italy amid the reopening. The market was open for business, although it sort of looks like it did back in mid-March: On life support. Having said that, it’s better than nothing. Naturally, there were rules. Only 200 people could attend the market at any one time. Yes, you were given a number, instructed to wash your hands with sanitizing gel, and then put on a new pair of reusable gloves. Naturally, we need to wear a mask. Yes folks, this is the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Then, today on May 6, 2020 I took our car in for servicing. The tires were changed, as were all the other important bits. It dawned on me, that the car dealership was the furthest I’d been since early March! Woah.
As for videos, we will be putting out 2 videos a week moving forward. This is simply because lockdown/reopening isn’t as newsworthy as it once was. Having said that, if anything big happens, we’ll be sure to let you know. And in the meantime, we’ll be starting to produce the other fun videos we’ve been wanting to do. For example, videos about saving money so you can travel more, getting the best travel deals, destination videos (i.e. What do see and do in Rome). Also, we’ll be doing healthy cooking videos as well. Tomorrow Later in the week, we will release our video on how to make Carbonara at home. Just the fun stuff! Thanks for sticking with us!!
May 4, 2020 – Italy Begins its Reopening
Today is the first day we’re allowed out of our homes in nearly two months. Indeed, it was a pleasant day. We walked to Andrea’s parents’ house, about 8,000 steps return. Not bad considering the limits of our walks were around our complex. In the park, there were a few people, but it wasn’t packed. We saw some stores opened as well. Also, industry and manufacturing started their official reopens today as well. Just like in our previous series, we will be talking about the reopening of the country.
Rick & Andrea
In March 2017, Rick and Andrea started Travel Addicts Life as a way to share their travel photos and videos with the world. And boy did it ever grow! Today, we are proud to offer content here on Travel Addicts Life, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.
Thanks for reading!
Rick & Andrea