The simple joys of life were appreciated by Romans on Monday (February 1) as they were finally able to sit at a restaurant table to eat their lunch.
Covid-19 restrictions were eased across the capital with bars and restaurants allowed to serve seated clients up until 6pm (1700gmt), something that hasn't been allowed since before Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, the country entered a strict nationwide lockdown for most of the holiday period. When the lockdown lifted on January 7, many regions including Lazio around Rome were 'orange', and the restrictions of only being able to serve take-away remained in place.
The lack of stability from opening, closing and reopening restaurants has been tough on local businesses.
"Let's hope it (the restrictions being eased) will go well, because the opening and closing and then opening again...it's not good," said restaurant manager Luigi Coluccio.
"People don't even have time to get used to going back to restaurants, and before they get a chance, they are blocked at home again and cannot come anymore."
But for the customers at restaurants in the picturesque Trastevere quarter, the easing of regulations was a step towards normal life.
"It is a very nice feeling to come back to normality at last, and I think that is what everybody wishes right now - hoping that our resumption of everyday life will be able to be more steady, and stay that way," said Ricardo Mallus as he ate lunch outdoors with a friend.
Although relieved to eat fresh pasta and drink a glass of vino at their favourite local, some were still wary of being cautious during the pandemic.
"On the one hand, it is a sense of regaining normal life, on the other hand this is not a normal time, so people must continue to be very, very careful," said Andrea Valbrega.
"People must...keep up all the possible precautions because it is a very dangerous virus which doesn't just hit us, but also the people we love."
REUTERS