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

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

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

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

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