Italy ends face mask rule outdoors

Rome, Jun 28 (EFE).- Italy on Monday ended the mandatory use of face masks outdoors as the entire country entered a Covid-19 white zone, the lowest of Italy’s four-tier colour coded risk level system.

“Today is a good day because the country has a bit more freedom, but we have to continue along the path of prudence and caution because we have not won the battle yet, the virus is still circulating significantly,” Italian minister of health, Roberto Speranza, said.

The fast spreading Delta variant accounts for 16.8% of cases in the country, according to official data.

As of Monday, face masks will only be mandatory in indoor public spaces and on public transport across all regions.

On Sunday, Italy recorded 14 deaths and 782 new cases.

Some 32% of people have been fully vaccinated and cases are at their lowest level so far in 2021.

One of the first European countries to be hit hard by Covid-19, Italy has registered over 127,000 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic started.EFE

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