Wearing a face covering is to become mandatory in public places in Italy overnight and nightclubs have been ordered to close due to a spike in coronavirus cases, according to reports.
Masks will need to be worn where social distancing is not possible between 6pm and 6am, while the closure of nightclubs and dance halls also applies to outdoor venues where people dance, such as beaches and common areas in hotels.
Economic support will be provided to all venues that have to close, Italy‘s government said.
The decisions were made during an urgent meeting of ministers and local officials on Sunday afternoon after 479 new infections and four deaths from COVID-19 were reported nationwide, Sky News Italia and Corriere della Sera said.
Several of the new cases over the past few weeks have reportedly been linked to nightclubs.Advertisement
Ministers also said the increase in cases across Europe had influenced their decision to impose new restrictions.
