Face masks made mandatory in Rome as Italy battles more than 5000 new cases
Wearing face masks outdoors will become mandatory in Rome and the surrounding region of Lazio from Monday, officials said on Sunday.
Nicola Zingaretti, president of the Region of Lazio and Democratic Party leader, said the move was a "powerful tool of prevention to flatten the curve" of the coronavirus outbreak.
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A protective mask is seen on the ground near St.Peter's Square, in Rome. AP
Students wearing masks arrive on September 14 for the start of the school year at the Luigi Einaudi technical high school in Rome, Italy. CNN/Getty
Face masks are compulsory for everyone over the age of 6, except if exempted for medical reasons or when playing outdoor sports.
Infringers risk 400 euros fine and local police were on Sunday already warning those not wearing masks that they will have to outside as well as inside.
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In Rome, (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) AP
On the streets of the capital, many welcomed the move.
Italy has reported more than 5000 new cases over the past two days, an increase of more than a thousand compared to previous days.
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Visitors wearing a face mask view "Paolina Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix", a 1805-1808 marble sculpture by Antonio Canova at the Galleria Borghese museum in Rome. AFP via Getty Images
The Health Ministry says total cases have now reached nearly 320,000.
Another 23 died in the last 24 hours, bringing the confirmed death toll to 35,941.
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