Easter will be on lockdown for Easter as the country struggles to accommodate the Spiking COVID-19 case.
From Monday, highly populated Italians will be required to stay home without work, health or other essential reasons.
The entire country will be closed from April 3 to 5 for the second year in a row during Easter weekend.
More than 25,000 cases a day have been reported in the country in the past six weeks due to delays in Italy’s vaccination campaign.
Officials warn that they are rapidly losing ground in the fight against new, highly contagious variants.
Only 3 percent of people in the country are vaccinated, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
“Italy handles about 170,000 doses a day – our target is three times that,” said Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
“It’s only with comprehensive vaccinations that we can do without the restrictions we have had to adopt.”
More than 100,000 Italians have died from coronavirus complications, the second highest in Europe after Europe.
Unlike last year, when Italy became the first western county to implement a nationwide lockdown, officials will allow a limited visit of friends and relatives on the Easter holiday.
Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil will probably be held earlier so worshipers can keep a curfew at 10 p.m.
The Italians, who were in unnecessary jobs, were also ordered to stay indoors for most of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“I hope this will be the last sacrifice our citizens have been asked to make,” said Atlio Fontana, president of Lombardy.
Italian health officials on Friday approved a single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccines. The dose will be delivered in a month, which leaders said will help in efforts to combat the increase.
With post wire
.
