Italy is set to impose another national lockdown over the Easter weekend to combat growing numbers of coronavirus cases.

It will see non-essential shops closed from 3 April to 5 April, with people only allowed to leave their homes for work, health or emergency reasons, according to a draft government decree seen by Reuters news agency.

The decree is expected to be signed into law later today.

The country – the first in the world to impose a national COVID lockdown just over a year ago – will also enforce tighter restrictions in low-risk areas from Monday.

Those measures – which form part of an existing four-tier colour-coded system – will see movement between towns in “yellow” regions limited and restaurants and bars shuttered.

Related posts:

Indonesian navy divers recover Sriwijaya Air jet’s cockpit voice recorder ‘Horrifying’ violence has killed at least 43 children in Myanmar, report says Taiwan prosecutors seek arrest of truck owner in crash that killed 50 Beer boss with a thirst for mega-mergers and cost-cutting calls time on his career Sixth-grade girl injures three people after opening fire with handgun Sprinter says she has been taken to airport against her will for criticising Belarus Olympic coaches Greta Thunberg says no countries ‘even doing close to’ what is needed to tackle climate change ‘It could lead to civil war’: West warned it must ‘engage’ with Taliban or risk new Afghanistan crisis Omicron variant a ’cause for concern and not for panic’, Biden says North Korea detected firing suspected ballistic missile into sea Djokovic ‘alone in room and under armed guard’ after being held up due to visa issue at Melbourne airport Novak Djokovic must wait days for deportation decision over Australia COVID rules