CORONAVIRUS

Nightclubs reopen in Italy — with checks to prevent a Saturday night fever

Guests will have to show Covid passport
A steward checks customers are socially distanced at a club in Rome before nightspots shut down in August
A steward checks customers are socially distanced at a club in Rome before nightspots shut down in August
CLAUDIO PERI/EPA

Italians are being allowed to strut their stuff on the dance floor again as nightclubs reopen after 14 months of Covid closure.

As contagion eases in Italy, a government-appointed panel of experts has allowed clubs to welcome back revellers, but only if they show a vaccine passport. Bouncers will also be asked to keep capacity to 35 per cent.

Italy shut its clubs down in August last year as reports of clusters in Sardinian nightclubs emerged before Italy’s second wave of Covid.

Dance floors had only been open for two months after closing during Italy’s first wave, which erupted in February of last year. During their brief reopening, dancers were told by the government to stay 6ft away from each other, prompting angry accusations