Italy to allow free movement across its regions and unrestricted travel to and from EU countries.

The Italian government has approved a decree allowing unrestricted travel to and from EU countries from 3 June, without quarantine, as announced by Italian premier Giuseppe Conte last night.

Conte described the move as a "calculated risk" and warned that the "contagion curve" could rise again, but stated that Italy could not afford to wait for a vaccine.

The decree, approved in the early hours of Saturday 16 May, represents a major development in Italy's efforts to relaunch its economy, particularly its devastated tourism sector, as the country eases one of the world's most stringent coronavirus lockdowns.

The decree will also permit travel between Italy's regions - which has so far been tightly restricted - from 3 June. However until then, inter-regional travel is not permitted, unless it is for absolute necessity.

In another significant development, from 18 May it will be possible to travel freely within your region of residence without any need to carry the self-declaration form.

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The decree comes as Italy reports a further decline in its daily coronavirus death toll, with the number of fatalities falling to 153 on 16 May, the lowest since 9 March - the day the nationwide lockdown was announced.

The loosening of restrictions also follows the government's approval of a €55 billion stimulus package designed to offset the economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic, offering liquidity to hard-hit businesses and aid to struggling families.       

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