by In Trieste
With the Omicron coronavirus surge rapidly receding, Italy will lift its universal mask mandate for outdoor public places this Friday 11 February, officials announced Monday.
While this move doesn’t mean face coverings will be a thing of the past — they still will be required for indoors — relaxing the order reflects the progress Italy has made in its battle against Omicron, even as officials say continued vigilance will be vital in keeping the country on the right track.
In a sign of potentially more seismic moves to come, Italian officials also announced Monday they are working on opening discos and night clubs.
While many are eager to return to pre-pandemic life, Friuli Venezia Giulia public health officials and experts remain wary of removing all guardrails, aware that new coronavirus variants are possible in the months ahead.
