Rome | Italy decided on Wednesday to make it compulsory to wear a mask outside throughout its territory and to extend the state of emergency until January 31 to better combat the resurgence of the COVID-19 epidemic .
• Read also: All the developments of the pandemic
Some cities, such as Genoa, or certain regions, such as Lazio (Rome) or Campania (Naples), had already taken the lead in making it compulsory to wear a mask in the street.
Wearing a mask, which was already compulsory in closed public places in Italy, is therefore extended to the outdoor area.
Wearing a mask will however not be compulsory at home and in isolated places frequented by the same family. Children under six years of age, as well as people suffering from pathologies incompatible with wearing a mask, are exempt. The mask will also not be compulsory during sports activities.
The government has also adopted a law prohibiting the 20 Italian regions, which enjoy great autonomy, particularly in the field of health, from taking less restrictive measures than those decided by Rome, except with the consent of the Minister of Health.
They are, however, authorized to take more restrictive measures.
The head of the Italian government Giuseppe Conte announced last week that he wanted to extend the state of emergency until January 31.
The state of emergency in Italy serves primarily to facilitate and accelerate the taking of decisions and measures to combat the effects of earthquakes, floods or other disasters.
It was first introduced in February, then extended until October 15.
First affected country in Europe, Italy has paid a heavy price for the epidemic and has just passed 36,000 deaths, with around 334,000 cases diagnosed since the start of the epidemic.
On Wednesday the country recorded a big rebound in new cases detected in 24 hours (3,678 cases).