Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that his government was extending the stringent lockdown measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus until May 3.
He said that relaxing the measures now would amount to undoing the results of the sacrifices made so far.
Italy has been in a lockdown, which has seen the closure of all but essential businesses and activities and people obliged to stay at home as much as possible, for a month.
The premier said there would be some minor changes to the lockdown, including the opening of stationary and book shops and stores selling clothes for children as of Tuesday.
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