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Coronavirus: Italy's PM outlines lockdown easing measures Coronavirus: Italy's PM outlines lockdown easing measures
(about 2 hours later)
Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has given a televised address outlining how the country will begin "Phase Two" of lifting its coronavirus lockdown. Italy has outlined plans to ease the strict restrictions imposed seven weeks ago to curb the spread of the coronavirus as it recorded its lowest daily death toll since mid-March.
Restrictions on daily life will start to be eased from 4 May, he said, and people will be allowed to visit their relatives in small numbers, in masks. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said curbs would be eased from 4 May, with people being allowed to visit their relatives in small numbers, in masks.
Parks will reopen, but schools will not restart classes until September.Parks will reopen, but schools will not restart classes until September.
Italy has endured the world's longest active coronavirus lockdown, and has Europe's highest official death toll. Italy has reported 26,644 virus-related deaths, Europe's highest official toll.
The country has reported 197,675 cases of the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, and 26,644 people are confirmed to have died with it. The country recorded 260 new deaths on Sunday, the lowest daily figure since 14 March. It has confirmed 197,675 cases of the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the disease globally.
The number of cases has been falling, however. Italy reported 260 new deaths on Sunday, the lowest daily toll since 14 March. The number of cases has been falling, and authorities now believe Italy's contagion rate - the number of people each person with the virus infects - is low enough to justify a cautious easing of curbs.
Authorities now believe Italy's contagion rate - the number of people each person with the virus infects - is low enough to justify a cautious easing of curbs. What has been announced?
Italians have been living under a national stay-at-home order since 9 March, with everyone required to remain within a few streets of their door. Speaking on television, Mr Conte outlined how the country would begin "Phase Two" of lifting its coronavirus lockdown. The measures include:
The country brought in very limited easing of its virus control measures on 14 April, permitting some small shops - including bookstores, dry cleaners and stationers - to reopen. The businesses chosen were deemed to be lower risk as they rarely attract crowds.
Other aspects of the lockdown easing announced include:
There was no announcement on the possibility of Italy's premier football league Serie A resuming, even behind closed doors.There was no announcement on the possibility of Italy's premier football league Serie A resuming, even behind closed doors.
Mr Conte stressed that social distancing measures would need to continue for months to come, and said church services would remain banned. He urged people to stay a metre (3ft) away from each other.Mr Conte stressed that social distancing measures would need to continue for months to come, and said church services would remain banned. He urged people to stay a metre (3ft) away from each other.
"If we do not respect the precautions the curve will go up, the deaths will increase, and we will have irreversible damage to our economy," the prime minister said. "If you love Italy, keep your distance.""If we do not respect the precautions the curve will go up, the deaths will increase, and we will have irreversible damage to our economy," the prime minister said. "If you love Italy, keep your distance."
What is the background?
Italians have been living under a national stay-at-home order since 9 March, with everyone required to remain within a few streets of their door.
The country brought in very limited easing of its virus control measures on 14 April, permitting some small shops - including bookstores, dry cleaners and stationers - to reopen. The businesses chosen were deemed to be lower risk as they rarely attract crowds.
This is a roadmap to reopening and a taste of freedom for a country that has endured hell, but it could take years for it to recover, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Rome reports.
If infections show an increase again, the government will have powers to intervene to reintroduce certain restrictions, our correspondent adds.