Italian city brings in bizarre BAN on eating pizza and ice cream
One of Italy’s most famous cities has tabled a controversial proposal to ban the sale of ice cream and pizza after midnight.
Milan is about to freeze two of Italy’s much-loved culinary treasures during the late hours as the city looks to crack down on rowdy groups crowding the streets.
The new law will target the late-night meals that attract groups of revelers and tourists, such as gelato ice cream and pizza, citing concerns about noise, litter and public order.
Marco Granelli, deputy mayor, said: ‘The aim is to strike a balance between conviviality and entertainment, and the peace and tranquility of the residents.’
Under the new proposal, the ban would apply only to outdoor dining areas, starting at 12:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1:30 a.m. on weekends, from May to November.
One of Italy’s most famous cities has tabled a controversial proposal to ban the sale of ice cream and pizza after midnight
Milan is set to freeze two of Italy’s beloved culinary treasures in the late hours as the city moves to crack down on rowdy groups crowding the streets
The ban will be implemented in areas such as Nolo, Lazzaretto, Melzo, Isola, Sarpi, Via Cesariano, Arco della Pace, Como-GaeAulenti, Porta Garibaldi, Brera, Ticinese and Darsena-Navigli.
Residents and businesses have until early May to express their concerns and propose changes to the new law.
The move marks a reconsideration of a similar idea from almost a decade ago, which was strongly opposed by Milan residents and subsequently abandoned in 2013.
Mayor Giuliano Pisapia was forced to reverse his proposal to ban midnight munchies after facing mounting pressure from protests that rocked his government.
He claimed that the wording of the directive was wrong and that it was not intended to ban the late-night sale of ice cream or other food or drink.
He said at the time, as told by The independent: ‘If there was an error on our part, it has already been corrected.
‘Milanesi and non-Milanesi can eat ice cream wherever they want day and night. Maybe there was an error in the interpretation of the rules, or maybe an error in the way things were written.’
In April 2023, a small fishing village in Italy launched new anti-tourism measures with fines of €275 for hanging out in selfie hotspots in a bid to end the ‘anarchic chaos’.
The new law will target late-night treats that attract groups of revelers and tourists, such as gelato ice cream and pizza, citing concerns about noise, litter and public order.
Under the new proposal, the ban would apply only to outdoor dining areas, starting at 12:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1:30 a.m. on weekends, from May to November.
Portofino’s mayor introduced a rule banning hanging out in two “red zones” where visitors often take photos and tourist groups gather. The times reported.
The waiting zones came into effect during the Easter holiday tourism boom, with around 1.7 million holidaymakers visiting Italian city centres, a 12 percent increase from 2022.
Portofino’s newly implemented waiting zone ban is in effect from morning to 6pm daily and will remain in effect until October 15.
Mayor Matteo Viacava stressed that the ban is not intended to make the city “more exclusive” but to “let everyone enjoy our beauty” and “avoid dangerous situations caused by overcrowding.”
He said the crowds of loitering tourists prevent access for emergency services, which could be very dangerous.