The familiar tinkling of ceramic cups and chatter returned to coffee bars across most of Italy on Monday, as rigid Covid-19 restrictions were eased, according to Reuters.

After severe curbs over the Christmas and New Year period, two-thirds of Italy was declared a “yellow zone”, allowing bars in those less risky areas to serve customers at counters and tables again instead of offering only take-away in plastic cups.

“We felt dead without bars,” said Rome resident Tiziana Baldo after a barista poured her drink in a bar in central Rome.

“It is beautiful to come here and talk to the people behind the bar; they make us feel alive every morning before going to work,” she added.