Coronavirus: Florence Lockdown Details

 

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conti announced further restrictions on retail establishments and public places amending his March 8 government decree which is valid through April 3; the new constraints will remain in force until March 25.  These precautionary measures are being taken to prevent the spread of Coronavirus as much as possible. There are currently 364 Coronavirus patients in Tuscany.

The March 11 ordinance has shut down cafés, bars, pubs and restaurants except those providing home delivery service.  Also closed for two weeks are barber shops, hairdressers, beauty salons, bookshops, pastry and ice cream shops in addition to stores selling any kind of non-essential merchandise, from clothing and shoes to home furnishings and gift items.  Hot beverages, including the iconic espresso and cappuccino, cannot be served to the public.

All public and private parks (including the Boboli and the Bardini) in Florence, Bagno a Ripoli and Scandicci have been closed to visitors.

Shops Open from March 12 onwards:

Stores

Supermarkets; grocery stores; panifici (bread shops); butchers; pharmacies; cosmetic shops and erboristerie; tabacchi (tobacconist shops, which sell cigarettes, bus tickets and stamps and where utility bills may be paid); newsstands; cleaning supplies shops; computer and electronic shops; pet food shops; hardware, appliance and lighting fixture stores; dry cleaners; a type of shop known as an ottica (which sells prescription eyeglasses in addition to photography equipment); and caterers.

Senior citizen social centers have all been temporarily closed in the province of Florence, and supermarkets—comprising Coop, Esselunga, Conad, Carrefour and Pam—are guaranteeing free grocery deliveries to those over 75.

Guaranteed Services Always Available from March 12 onwards:

Buses; trains; banks; post offices; gas (petrol) stations; insurance companies and funeral homes.  Commuters on ATAF buses get on and get off through the central door, normally reserved for exits because the driver is actually roped off from the passengers who approach from the back.

Closed Until April 3:

The region’s state-run, civic and church museums in addition to movie theatres, clubs and discos will remain closed through April 3, including, in Florence, the Uffizi and Accademia galleries, the Pitti Palace, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Maria Novella, and the entire Cathedral complex (Duomo, Cupola, Bell Tower, Baptistery and the Opera del Duomo Cathedral museum).

Although religious services will not be celebrated during the same period, local churches, cathedrals and Florence’s Duomo will be accessible for those who wish to come in and pray while not getting too close to another person. This is also offered by St. Mark’s English Church, via Maggio 16.  St. James American Church, via Rucellai 9 is providing online streaming of its Sunday services.

All libraries, archives and reading rooms have shut for the period in the region, including the British Institute of Florence Library and School, which has temporarily suspended all events.

Gyms and health center have closed their doors; all sports events, including soccer games, are postponed, and ski resorts and spas are not allowing entrance to their facilities.

Residents who have flu symptoms such as fever, sore throat and cough, must stay home and call their family doctor, who is now on duty 12 hours a day, seven days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm.  Those who believe they might be infected must immediately call the medical hotline 1500, operative 24/7.   (rosanna cirigliano)