Restaurants and bars: what will happen after 7 January? The hypotheses under consideration

2023 Author: Cody Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 19:13

January 15 will expire the effects of the last Prime Ministerial Decree, that of December 3, which regulated openings - and especially closures - during the holiday period. More: for some of the limitations envisaged in that Prime Minister's Decree, the deadline was even closer, set for January 6. Now, however, one step away from that date, the question remains what will happen starting from 7 January. Bar, restaurants and commercial establishments will actually be able to reopen and, perhaps, keep the shutters raised with a minimum of continuity?

The answer to this question, in reality, is not yet there. With the usual last-minute timing to which unfortunately we are still getting used to now, the Government is considering all the hypotheses to contain the spread of Coronavirus, given that the curve that regulates the relationship between tested people and confirmed cases continues, alas, to grow.

For this reason, the most probable hypothesis is that of a new squeeze. It seems that difficult times will continue for the catering sector, often accused of being one of the situations in which contagion can run more freely.

DPCM December 3: what it provided

The Dpcm December 3, 2020, in force from December 4 to January 15, 2021, substantially maintained the diversification of the restrictions, already adopted by the Dpcm November 3, 2020, in the three yellow, orange and red areas, corresponding to the different levels of criticality in the regions of the country.. A system that - said Giuseppe Conte - "is proving effective", and which is therefore likely to be maintained in the future.

However, this Dpcm has also introduced further restrictions also in the yellow areas for the period from 21 December to 6 January. Prohibition of travel between different regions and even between municipalities on public holidays, extension of the curfew for New Year's Eve, etc. As for the catering activities, the yellow area provided for the opening with consumption at the table from 5 to 18, and take-away from 18 to 22; while in the orange and red areas the opening is exclusively for take-out from 5 to 22.

New measures: the hypotheses on the table

Under consideration by the Government, there are different hypotheses to counter that new peak of infections that will almost certainly arrive with the third wave. An inevitable wave for some, because it is the physiological result of the virality of the pandemic; for others, however, the result of the easing of restrictions in the pre-holiday period, when many flocked to the streets for Christmas shopping, partly saving the accounts of shopkeepers but perhaps putting collective health at risk.

For this reason, now we try to run for cover, and the feeling is that there will be new cramps arriving all over Italy, in which certainly bars and restaurants will also be involved.

Hypothesis 1: stricter criteria

It seems that the Government, faced with the growing contagion curve but also with the growing impatience of citizens, is considering two main hypotheses for the rest of January. The first would keep the division of Italy into "traffic light" zones, but would provide for stricter criteria for the assignment of orange and red zones, those in which the greatest restrictions are imposed. In fact, there are regions that today see an important increase in the number of infections, but which remain in the yellow area due to the combination of the data of the various indices on which the colors of the "traffic light" are parameterized.

Hypothesis 2: red zones on weekends

The second hypothesis, which at the moment seems to be quite accredited (at least, according to institutional sources) is that of the establishment of the red zone during the weekends throughout the Italian territory, regardless of the Rt index. This means that even those who are in yellow zone, with minimal limitations and linked above all to evening hours, will instead see the closing of bars, restaurants, shops and shopping centers on Saturdays and Sundays. A solution that could represent a middle way to limit gatherings but still allow openings.