Italy's coronavirus lockdown measures to be extended to April 13 - minister
A worker wearing protective garments sanitises the Duomo square, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in central Milan, Italy March 31, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo Purchase Licensing Rights
ROME (Reuters) - Italy will extend anti-coronavirus lockdown restrictions imposed last month to April 13, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Wednesday.
"We must not confuse the first positive signals with an 'all clear' signal. Data shows that we are on the right path and that the drastic decisions are bearing fruit," Speranza told the upper house Senate.
After days of steep rises in cases, data this week has suggested the pace of growth in the number of total cases in Italy is slowing, with new infections coming in at 4,053 on Tuesday. Deaths have remained largely steady at over 800 a day.
Speranza added that the "battle (against the virus) is still very long."
Italy was the first Western country to introduce the restrictions and has tightened them week by week, banning all but core activities.
Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Giulia Segreti
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