People buy cookies at a Girl Scouts table set up at Naval Support Activity Naples Capodichino site, Feb. 10, 2022. U.S. Army bases in Italy will stop requiring people to wear face masks outdoors on Feb. 11, in accordance with new Italian rules. But some military installations, including NSA Naples, haven't announced any changes and say they will review the Italian decree. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
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NAPLES, Italy — People on U.S. Army bases in Italy won’t have to wear a face mask outside starting Friday, but some other American military installations in the country are keeping their mask requirement for now.
The update comes as Italian authorities relax restrictions nationwide. Starting Friday, face masks are no longer required outdoors except in crowds, according to a decree signed Tuesday by Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza.
U.S. Army Garrison Italy in Vicenza and Camp Darby in Tirrenia are following the Italian laws, meaning that face masks outdoors will no longer be required, said Rick Scavetta, a USAG Italy spokesman.
But face masks outdoors still will be the rule at Naval Support Activity Naples while officials assess the latest changes, said Lt. Jamie Moroney, an NSA Naples spokeswoman.
Naval Air Station Sigonella also is studying the changes before updating its policy, said Lt. Drake Greer, a NAS Sigonella spokesman.
Both naval bases would notify their communities of any changes.
Aviano Air Base also hadn’t announced any changes to its face mask policy, but the base intends to follow Italian laws and Defense Department policy, said Natalie Stanley, a base spokeswoman.
Italy is taking steps to “reopen” as the number of new COVID-19 cases gradually decreases. There were 384 deaths and 81,367 new cases reported nationwide Wednesday, the health ministry said.
People still must have a face mask in their possession and wear it when they use public transportation or visit a store, museum or other indoor public venue, according to the decree.
Discos also will reopen Friday at 50% capacity indoors, and mask-wearing will be compulsory inside except for people who are dancing.
Mask-wearing at outside discos, which will open at 75%, will not be required. But a “super” green pass, which is proof of full vaccination, a booster shot or recovery from the disease, still is needed, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Nightclubs were initially closed at the height of the pandemic. After reopening in October, they shut down again in December as the number of new COVID-19 cases quickly rose because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
A super green pass still is required in most public venues, including restaurants, movie theaters and stores. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization card can be used in place of a super green pass, bases have said.
U.S. bases in Italy are still urging their communities to get booster shots and reminding people that Italian vaccination rules apply on base.
“By sitting at indoor tables or entering certain venues, our community members are agreeing to random immunization verification,” NAS Sigonella posted Wednesday on its official Facebook page.
