The Prime Minister Mario Draghi has extended a number of coronavirus-related restrictions in Italy until the end of April. However, the media reports suggests that state wants to reopen schools for younger children after Easter.
Furthermore, a new pronouncement by the cabinet which will come into effect by April 7 provides for mandatory inoculation for many workers in the medical field and in other parts of the healthcare system. Employees in hospitals and pharmacies who do not wish to be vaccinated are assigned other tasks that do not pose a risk of infection.
Nonetheless, Children up to the sixth grade asked to return to classrooms - even in the particularly affected so-called red zones. Italy also aims to gradually end distance learning for older pupils.
Following Wednesday's meeting, the Italian Cabinet also gave the green light for plans to ban cruise ships from the area around Venice's city centre. A relating order specifies that large ships must dock outside the Venetian lagoon.
As of Thursday, Italy has reported a total of 3,584,899 coronavirus cases and 109,346 deaths