From today outdoor Italy is mask-free. Facemasks are no longer compulsory in outside areas (except in crowded spaces such as markets). Each of Italy’s regions is classified as white, meaning low risk.
This comes as especially welcome news where the ongoing heatwave is expected to push temperatures past 40°C (104°F) in Puglia for the second week in succession.
But a close eye will be kept on any surge, especially with the Delta variant present in Italy. According to government figures, at the time of signing the latest ordinance relaxing current rules this weekend only a third of Italy's population over the age of 12 has been vaccinated. Caution is still urged.
More | where and how to book a covid test in Puglia | quarantine rules for travellers coming from or transiting via the UK | additional information on covid testing from the Puglia Region website | our Covid-19 archives