The Italian Government has introduced the first relaxation of its nationwide quarantine since 4 May. However, citizens will have to wait until 18 May to see retail stores and museums open, and beauty salons, hairdressers, bars and restaurants will only open on 1 June.
Italy was among the worst affected countries by the pandemic, with more than 28,000 deaths from nearly 210,000 infections.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 3.4 million, while more than 239,000 people have died from the disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.
© REUTERS / Manuel SilvestriMerchants rally on St Mark's Square, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Venice, Italy, 4 May 2020.
Merchants rally on St Mark's Square, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Venice, Italy, 4 May 2020.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel MedinaA woman rides a rental bicycle across Parco Sempione Park on 4 May 2020 in Milan as Italy starts to ease its COVID-19 lockdown. Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on 4 May 2020 as Europe's hardest-hit country incrementally softens the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
A woman rides a rental bicycle across Parco Sempione Park on 4 May 2020 in Milan as Italy starts to ease its COVID-19 lockdown. Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on 4 May 2020 as Europe's hardest-hit country incrementally softens the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
© REUTERS / Ciro De LucaPeople exercise on the street, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Naples, Italy 4 May 2020.
People exercise on the street, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Naples, Italy 4 May 2020.
© REUTERS / Remo CasilliPeople wearing protective masks walk on a street, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Rome, Italy 4 May 2020.
People wearing protective masks walk on a street, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Rome, Italy 4 May 2020.
© AP Photo / Luca BrunoA woman stands in a subway wagon at a stop, in Milan, Italy, Monday, 4 May 2020. Italy began stirring again Monday after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, with 4.4 million Italians able to return to work and restrictions on movement eased in the first European country to lock down in a bid to stem COVID-19 infections.
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© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
A woman stands in a subway wagon at a stop, in Milan, Italy, Monday, 4 May 2020. Italy began stirring again Monday after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, with 4.4 million Italians able to return to work and restrictions on movement eased in the first European country to lock down in a bid to stem COVID-19 infections.
© AFP 2023 / Marco BertorelloPeople shop at the food market of Porta Palazzo in Turin on 4 May 2020, as Italy starts to ease its COVID-19 lockdown. Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on 4 May 2020 as Europe's hardest-hit country incrementally softens the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
People shop at the food market of Porta Palazzo in Turin on 4 May 2020, as Italy starts to ease its COVID-19 lockdown. Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on 4 May 2020 as Europe's hardest-hit country incrementally softens the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
© REUTERS / Flavio Lo ScalzoPeople wearing face masks arrive at the Cadorna railway station, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Milan, Italy 4 May 2020.
People wearing face masks arrive at the Cadorna railway station, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Milan, Italy 4 May 2020.
© REUTERS / Flavio Lo ScalzoA child plays with a kite at the Sempione Park, after parks reopen as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to a spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Milan, Italy, 4 May 2020.
A child plays with a kite at the Sempione Park, after parks reopen as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to a spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Milan, Italy, 4 May 2020.
© AP Photo / Luca BrunoA safety guard checks passengers with a thermo scanner as they arrive at the Cadorna railway station, in Milan, Italy, Monday, 4 May 2020. Italy began stirring again Monday after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, with 4.4 million Italians able to return to work and restrictions on movement eased in what had been the first European country to lock down in a bid to stem COVID-19 infections.
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© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
A safety guard checks passengers with a thermo scanner as they arrive at the Cadorna railway station, in Milan, Italy, Monday, 4 May 2020. Italy began stirring again Monday after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, with 4.4 million Italians able to return to work and restrictions on movement eased in what had been the first European country to lock down in a bid to stem COVID-19 infections.
© REUTERS / Ciro De LucaPeople are seen at the seaside, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown which was put in place due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Naples, 4 May 2020.
People are seen at the seaside, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown which was put in place due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Naples, 4 May 2020.