The cold weather kept away many residents and tourists but this did not stop the Santas taking part in the colorful Christmas regatta.

Italian newspapers reported on Sunday that the government is considering new measures to avoid a surge in COVID-19 infections during the holiday period, amid worries over the spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant.

After holding a meeting with ministers on Dec. 23, Prime Minister Mario Draghi could impose an obligation on the vaccinated to show a negative test to access crowded places, including discos and stadiums, daily Corriere della Sera reported.

Under current rules, people who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered from the disease have free access to indoor seating at bars and restaurants, museums, cinemas, clubs and sporting events.