Italy to Reopen Nightclubs as Draghi Addresses Salvini Complaint
Italy’s Clubs to Reopen for First Time Since Pandemic, Ansa Says
(Bloomberg) -- Italy will allow nightclubs and dancing venues to reopen for the first time since 2020, a welcome sign of a return to normal as the country’s vaccine campaign pushes ahead.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet approved the reopening -- at reduced capacity of 50% indoors and 75% outdoors -- during a meeting Wednesday, according to a statement. Italy will also allow theaters and cinemas to operate at full capacity. The new measures come into effect on Oct. 11.
The decision will likely be claimed as a victory by Matteo Salvini, whose League party has been a consistent critic of measures that infringe on economic activity.
The rightist League has been reeling from a local election defeat and bristling at Draghi’s push to move ahead with plans for tax reform. Draghi and Salvini met on Thursday to clear the air, in what the premier called a “constructive” meeting.
Italy has vaccinated 79.6% of its eligible population above 12 years of age, and Covid-19 certificates are required for most indoor activities. The country has been recording an average of 3,000 new cases over the last week.
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