Italy's leader imposed at least a month of new restrictions across the country on Sunday to fight rising coronavirus infections, insisting that people outdoors wear masks, shutting down gyms, pools and movie theaters and putting an early curfew on cafes and restaurants.
Worried about crippling Italy's stagnant economy, especially after 10 weeks of a severe lockdown earlier in the pandemic, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte ruled against another heavy nationwide lockdown.
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Italy's leader imposed at least a month of new restrictions across the country on Sunday to fight rising coronavirus infections, insisting that people outdoors wear masks, shutting down gyms, pools and movie theaters and putting an early curfew on cafes and restaurants.
A day earlier, Italy surpassed the half-million mark in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases since February, when it became the first country to be stricken in Europe. The last two days have seen daily new caseloads creep close to 20,000.
On Friday, demonstrators in Naples protesting a 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew clashed with police. On Saturday night, far-right and neo-fascist political groups led a similar protest in Rome against that city's curfew.
Follow all of AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Flares light up in the sky during a protest staged by Forza Nuova far right group against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Rome Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew in Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, begins on Friday and lasts for 30 days, under orders from regional governor Nicola Zingaretti. (Cecilia FabianoLaPresse via AP)
The decree Conte signed Sunday exempts children younger than six and those exercising outdoors from wearing masks and also made ski slopes off-limits to all but competitive skiers. It goes into effect Monday and lasts until Nov. 24.
Police officers patrol during a protest called by Forza Nuova far right group against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Rome Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew in Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, begins on Friday and lasts for 30 days, under orders from regional governor Nicola Zingaretti. (Cecilia FabianoLaPresse via AP)
A day earlier, Italy surpassed the half-million mark in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases since February, when it became the first country to be stricken in Europe. The last two days have seen daily new caseloads creep close to 20,000.
Restaurant and bar owners had lobbied hard against the new measures, which orders them to close at 6 p.m. daily. Most restaurants in Italy usually don't even start to serve dinner before 8 p.m., so the restriction seriously cuts into revenues. Cafes and restaurants were allowed in recent months to re-open after the spring lockdown for outdoor dining or limited indoor seating.
Several Italian regions and cities recently slapped on overnight curfews to cut down on young people congregating outdoors, especially to drink.
A police officer patrols as a bike burns during a protest called by Forza Nuova far right group against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Rome Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew in Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, begins on Friday and lasts for 30 days, under orders from regional governor Nicola Zingaretti. (Cecilia FabianoLaPresse via AP)
On Friday, demonstrators in Naples protesting a 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew clashed with police. On Saturday night, far-right and neo-fascist political groups led a similar protest in Rome against that city's curfew.
Conte's latest decree keeps elementary and middle schools open but says 75% of high school students must have remote classes. Crowding on public transit, especially since schools reopened last month, has concerned health authorities.
Masks were already required on public transit and in indoor venues like supermarkets and other stores.
People gather in Piazza del Popolo square during a protest called by Forza Nuova far right group against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Rome Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew in Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, begins on Friday and lasts for 30 days, under orders from regional governor Nicola Zingaretti. (Cecilia FabianoLaPresse via AP)
Follow all of AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Flares explode as people gather in Piazza del Popolo square during a protest called by Forza Nuova far right group against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Rome Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew in Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, begins on Friday and lasts for 30 days, under orders from regional governor Nicola Zingaretti. (Cecilia FabianoLaPresse via AP)
Flares light up in the sky during a protest staged by Forza Nuova far right group against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Rome Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew in Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, begins on Friday and lasts for 30 days, under orders from regional governor Nicola Zingaretti. (Cecilia FabianoLaPresse via AP)