Capri, Italy.Photo: Getty
A small island off the coast of Italy is closing in on its goal of vaccinating its entire population and finally being “COVID-free.”
Capri, located in the Gulf of Naples in Italy’s Campania region, was a hotspot for tourists for decades until theCOVID-19 pandemicsent the island, and Italy itself, into lockdown last year.
But now, Capri, which has around 15,000 inhabitants, is nearing the completion of its vaccination program with the goal of inoculating the full population and opening up tourism again this summer.
“It is a very strong message that we send to the whole world — you can come here in total safety,” Marino Lembo, the mayor of Capri, toldCNN.
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Capri, Italy.Getty
Vincenzo De Luca, governor of the Campania region, had confirmed whilespeaking to reporterson Saturday that the island was almost entirely fully vaccinated against the virus.
According to CNN, Capri’s tourist sector experienced a 70% decrease in turnover due to the ongoing pandemic.
But as vaccination rollout continues, the island is starting to open back up. According toReuters, outdoor dining at Capri opened back up on April 26, and indoor dining will resume in early June.
“I can sense a positive spirit, a spirit of recovery,” Paolo Federico, general manager of the Punta Tragara hotel, told Reuters. “Maybe this anxiety will not be part of our baggage anymore.”
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty
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Capri’s reopening comes as the European Union reportedly plans toallow American touristswho have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to visit the continent this summer.
As of Wednesday, Italy has reported over 4.1 million COVID-19 cases and over 123,000 deaths from the virus, per aNew York Timesdatabase.
Reports statethat the country hasadministered nearly 25,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Wednesday, which amounts to about 20.7% of the total population.
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source: people.com
