Well, not as completely as the headline sounds, but the reality is nonetheless draconian. Fines up to €500 can be leveled for eating from 12-3 or from 6-10 on designated streets.
The streets, Via de’ Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via della Ninna, are all central, narrow and heavily-trafficed, and residents have long complained about crowds blocking streets and leaving debris behind.
On the other hand, they are also lined with many stores selling food but without tables for patrons, so it is no surprise that people are eating on the street, and some have called for the city to provide some nearby benches, litter bins and possibly even public toilets.
But Mayor Dario Nardella, who imposed the restrictions for at least the next four months, is known to be a hard-liner on the subject: Last year he ordered city employees to hose down church steps to keep people from sitting on them.
