Italy is set to impose another national lockdown over the Easter weekend to combat growing numbers of coronavirus cases.
It will see non-essential shops closed from 3 April to 5 April, with people only allowed to leave their homes for work, health or emergency reasons, according to a draft government decree seen by Reuters news agency.
The decree is expected to be signed into law later today.
The country – the first in the world to impose a national COVID lockdown just over a year ago – will also enforce tighter restrictions in low-risk areas from Monday.
Those measures – which form part of an existing four-tier colour-coded system – will see movement between towns in “yellow” regions limited and restaurants and bars shuttered.