Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced the extension of the country’s coronavirus lockdown until May 3.
Conte made the announcement Friday, April 10, 2020, after Italy’s official COVID-19 toll climbed by another 570 fatalities to 18,849 — more than any other country — but with the growth rate now just a fraction of what it was a few weeks ago.
The severe curbs on movement and the shutdown imposed on most shops and businesses across Italy were imposed on March 9, and were scheduled to expire on Monday.
Among a few exceptions to the lockdown extension, Conte said bookshops, stationers and shops selling children’s clothes could reopen from April 14.
