The whole of Italy became a mask-free, “low-risk” zone for coronavirus Monday as some countries begin to tighten restrictions due to spread of Delta variant of COVID-19.
Italian health ministry issued a decree classifying the country’s 20 regions as “white.” This means that wearing face masks is no longer required outdoors in areas under the country’s white zone.
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It comes as an ongoing heatwave that is expected to push temperatures past 40 degrees Celsius in the southern part of Italy.
Italy, one of the hardest-hit countries by the global pandemic, has seen a sharp decline in COVID-19 infections and deaths.
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However, Health Minister Roberto Speranza has called on Italians to remain vigilant as “the battle is not yet won.”
Italy has vaccinated 17,572,505 of its people or a third of its eligible population. (RA)
