World

Italy set to impose national lockdown over Easter weekend

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.