Italy enters 3-day Easter lockdown

Rome, Apr 4 (efe-epa).- Italy on Saturday entered lockdown to contain a new surge in coronavirus cases over Easter, a holiday which Italians traditionally celebrate with family gatherings and trips to the coast.

The nationwide measures will be in effect until Tuesday.

Train stations and airports were largely empty on Saturday, as a mandatory five-day quarantine on passengers arriving from the European Union countries has seen foreign visitors dry up.

Police have been deployed on Italy’s roads to enforce the travel restrictions.

A maximum of two adults and children younger than 14 years are allowed to leave their homes to visit family or friends in some regions, while others have banned it.

Picnics and barbecue parties at parks or beaches are banned, although doing sports, including running and cycling, are allowed. Swimming in the open water is permitted, but sunbathing on the beach is not. EFE-EPA

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