Although the city is still closed to tourists, gondoliers have donned their iconic white-and-blue striped shirts, as well as gloves and face masks, to transport locals. Tape has been placed in each vessel to help passengers maintain social distancing requirements while onboard.

According to Giovanni Giusto, the city councillor for the Protection of Traditions, the restoration of gondola service is the first step of a city returning to normal. "It's good news, a sign of everyone's desire to get back to normal as soon as possible, but without ever lowering our guard in order to defeat the virus once and for all," he said, according to Agence France Presse.