Italy’s decision to postpone reopening of secondary schools until January 11 follows heated debate in government. Kindergartens, elementary and high schools will reopen as planned on January 7. The new anti-COVID-19 measures will go into effect from January 7 to 15, with Italy becoming the ‘orange zone’ on the weekend of January 9-10.
The Italian government has decided to reopen Italian high schools on Monday 11 January, not Thursday 7 January, amid an extension of anti-COVID-19 measures that were put in place during the Christmas period, the ANSA news agency reported.
The decision to postpone reopening of secondary schools came in the early hours of late night talks in which the governing coalition parties clashed over reopening dates, following days of uncertainty for parents, teachers and students.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and his education minister Lucia Azzolina of the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) have sought to reopen High school on January 7, as planned, along with Kindergarten, Middle School and Elementary School.
The center-left Partito Democratico (PD) delegation, led by Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, is pushing for secondary schools not to reopen sooner than January 15, while Italy’s liberal Viva party, represented by agriculture minister Teresa Bellanova, is demanding that secondary schools reopen on January 7.
In the end, a compromise date was reached and January 11 was selected. The reopening of secondary schools will mean that only 50 percent of lessons are conducted in person, in class, and the remainder through distance learning.
However local leaders may decide to postpone the reopening date of secondary schools further, as has happened in some areas where local governments have chosen to wait and see what impact the Christmas holidays will have on novelties. covid-19 infection.
Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia in the north will close their secondary schools until January 31, with secondary schools set to reopen on January 25 in the surrounding southern Campania region. Napoli.
New anti-COVID-19 measures January 7-15, 2021
The government has decided to extend the above anti-COVID-19 measures Christmas period, from January 7-15.
That national action, which takes effect the day after tomorrow Witch, will see Italy become the ‘orange zone’ on the weekend of January 9-10 and the yellow zone “strengthened” on other days, reports ANSA.
This includes a ban on travel between regions – except for urgent or proven necessary reasons including work – and a continuation of rules that allow a maximum of two people who do not live together to visit private homes in their territory.
On ‘yellow days’ restaurants and bars can stay open until 18.00, after which they can provide take-out and home delivery services.
On orange day (January 9-10), bars and restaurants will be closed, but shops, hairdressers and beauty centers will be allowed to open.
Italy is currently in the ‘red zone’ at its highest level until January 6, a national holiday for the Epiphany feast.
Cover image: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Photo credit: vasilis asvestas / Shutterstock.com.