ROME—Italy has entered a three-day strict nationwide lockdown to deter Easter travel and in a move the government said was to help prevent new surges of the coronavirus.
Even though the rate of infections is coming down, the Health Ministry placed all regions into the strictest “red zone” lockdown through Monday as a precaution. The lockdown, announced last month, means restrictions on personal movement to outside regions, with each household limited to no more than two adult visitors and their children under 14.
Non-essential shops are closed and restaurants and bars are only open for take-out. Places of worship are open, with church-goers allowed to attend services in their own regions.
Police set up road checks to ensure people were staying close to home. Extra patrols were ordered up to break up large gatherings in squares and parks, which over Easter weekend are usually packed with picnic goers.
Italy, where the European outbreak began, has recorded 3.6 million cases and more than 110,000 deaths from the coronavirus, more deaths than any other European country but Britain.
The government has administered 10.8 million vaccines, though only 3.3 million of the country’s 60 million people have received both doses.
NTD contributed to this report.