After 10 weeks of lockdown and a travel ban that prevented tourists from visiting, Italy is slowly beginning to emerge from hibernation.
Across the country, Italians are venturing into the world again and hotels are preparing to reopen their doors after prolonged closures. While Italy’s hotels were never officially ordered to close, the majority of them had little choice but to shut down as strict nationwide travel restrictions kept customers away.
The Italian government has said that the country will reopen to international tourism from early June, when it will also stop a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for incoming holidaymakers. The country is bracing for the return of tourists and hoteliers are getting set to reopen their doors, with detailed safety precautions in place.
One of Italy's grandest hotels is the St. Regis Rome. Built in 1894, the gilded palace underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2018. The luxury resort has been closed for weeks due to travel restrictions in place across Italy, but is reopening to guests from today, Monday, May 18.
Ahead of its reopening, the hotel implemented several protocols put in place by parent company Marriott International. These include electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitise surfaces and social distancing signage in public spaces throughout the hotel. Travellers staying at the hotel can use their phones to check in, access rooms and order contactless room service in a bid to cut down on cross-contamination.
Elsewhere in the Eternal City, other hotels are optimistic about reopening.
At Hotel Nord Nuova Roma, a strong sense of Italian national pride and optimism awaits. “Proud to be Romans, Proud to be Italians, we’ll be back soon,” declares the hotel’s social media pages. All room and common areas in the hotel are being sanitised and sterilised, with portable controlled-emission ozone generators in preparation for the day it will welcome guests again.
At the Atlante Star Hotel, the owners are looking forward to receiving visitors again. The hotel remained open during the country’s lockdown measures, but has had no guests for many weeks.
Museums and restaurants to reopen
Beyond hotels, it’s hoped that the rest of Italy’s badly battered tourism industry can embrace a change of fortune as travel restrictions across the country ease. Museums are also reopening from today, with safety guidelines in place from the Italian ministry for cultural heritage and activities and tourism.
These include all tickets being purchased online, a reduced number of visitors and social distancing in the galleries. With the reopening of such attractions, tourists have an incentive to return. Restaurants and churches are also reopening today as part of a fresh wave of lockdown easing in Europe.
This follows an announcement by the European Union last week that it plans to help citizens from its 27 member countries salvage summer vacation plans after months of coronavirus lockdown.
Italian seaside towns hope for a swift recovery
It's likely that the first signs of Italy's tourism recovery will come from the country's domestic market. On Italy's Adriatic coast, Hotel Lungomare Riccione is gearing up to reopen to guests on Friday, May 22.
This four-star seafront hotel in Rimini is popular with Italians who have long seen the region as a traditional summer destination. The hotel has enhanced its safety and security policies ahead of the reopening.
“We reopen the doors of our hotel with lots of emotion in our heart, little news and all the security needed. We have the best months of the year ahead, let's not waste a moment,” reads the hotel’s social media pages.
At the Rimini Grand Hotel, maintenance work that took place during the hotel’s closure is ending as it gets set to welcome guests from Friday, May 29.
Rimini has long been the first summer destination for domestic tourism in Italy and the region is hoping the pattern prevails. The Rimini Tourism Board has released a video detailing how it has been preparing to welcome guests back to its famed beaches.
“Today we are not afraid, today we create a new world. A new dolce vita, a film with the most beautiful scenes yet to be filmed" says the voice-over.
Venice waits for visitors
In Venice, a city that has battled overtourism for years, the deserted streets and landmarks are looking forward to welcoming visitors once again. In the canal-filled city, the Saturnia hotel, which dates back to 1908, remains temporarily closed.
However, there has been some progress as the hotel’s private lounge will reopen today, Monday, May 18. Everyone is welcome; so long as face masks are worn and social distancing prevails.
“We have worked hard to sanitise all areas and comply with new regulations so that we can welcome you back for coffee, your favourite drink or a cold dish – in both the Il Caravellino & La Caravella rooms – where tables will be suitably spaced,” detailed the hotel’s Instagram.
In South Tyrol, Hyatt's Villa Eden – a health and wellness retreat – has been busy preparing for life after coronavirus. The hotel will reopen to guests on Monday, May 25, with detailed new protocols related to well-being. This includes rapid serological tests for all guests and employees to diagnose active or previous infections, and a range of new treatments, such as oxygen ozone therapy or IV Energy Therapy designed to boost guests' overall well-being.
The fate of Milan
There seems to be less optimism in Italy’s worst-hit region of Lombardy. In Milan, the country’s financial and business capital and global fashion hub, there are slow signs of a return to pre-Covid days as some businesses begin to reopen.
The Grand Hotel Et De Milan, Milan’s first five-star hotel and the former home of 19th-century composer Giuseppe Verdi, will welcome guests again from Thursday, June 4. Sadly, not all of Milan’s hotels will do the same as some smaller, family-run establishments say it is simply too late for them to recover. Elsewhere in Lombardy, the country’s alpine lakes are emerging from hibernation in a bid to salvage what is left of their summer season.
The Mandarin Oriental Lake Como was due to open in March, but pushed its seasonal return due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. The luxury resort, which is set inside a botanical garden, will now welcome guests for stays from Thursday, June 18. The Mandarin Oriental hotel group has put several policies in place to protect guests checking in at its properties. These include mandatory health declaration forms, temperature scanners, personal protective equipment packages and increased antiviral disinfection measures.
Elsewhere on Lake Como, the historical Grand Hotel Tremezzo will open for guests next month. The seasonal hotel, which dates back to 1901, has postponed its reopening until Monday, June 22. It is ready to welcome guests to the shores of its famed lake which is, according to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo website, “flaunting its brightest colours with the mountains framing the sparkling waters and the flowers blossoming on its shoreline.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
