Italians enjoy coffee again as restrictions ease

Italians can once again enjoy an espresso coffee at a cafe in a proper porcelain cup.

One of most rooted Italian morning habits is back, after more than two months of cafes closure due to coronavirus pandemic containment measures.

On Monday, Italians stepped back into ir cafes to enjoy a hot espresso coffee in a warm porcelain cup.

Taped lines on ground enforce distancing and a transparent plastic partition divide bartender from customer.

From Monday, Italian government allowed coffees, bevers, sandwiches and croissants to be taken at cafe counters. Two week earlier, as part of grual easing of pandemic containment measures, bar owners were allowed to open for takeaway service only.

Italy is one of most severely hit European countries, with more than 225,000 cases of COVID-19 and 32,000 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.