Florence: Duomo opens with hi-tech 'distancer'

Paul Heymont 5/20/202:00 PM

Italy is beginning to open again, at least a little, but social distance rules will stay in place for quite a while longer, with the help of some new high-tech devices.

At Florence's famous Duomo, visitors will be given a device on a lanyard like the one above to wear as they walk among the artistic treasures of one of Italy's most beautiful churches. If they keep their distance, all is well; if two people come within 2 metres of each other, the device will flash and beep softly until they move apart.

The Cathedral and its adjacent museum will open its doors "in the upcoming days," according to director Timothy Verdon, saying that "Visits to the monuments and museum will be with a reduced number of people. During this initial period, visits will be free. It's a gesture, to welcome people once again."

The Cathedral and museum will be the first in the world to use the device in a museum context.

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