Italian churches to re-open from May 18

Italian churches will open to congregations from May 18, the country's government has announced in a joint statement with the Italian bishops' conference (CEI).

The CEI had come to an agreement with the government, the statement said, under which churches would put precautions in place to protect their congregations against the potential spread of the coronavirus.

Staff will stand at church entrances to ensure that worshippers maintain the required distance from one another throughout Masses, it said. Church buildings will also be specially cleaned.

The Italian Catholic Church protested vehemently against the government's decision at the end of April to delay resuming Masses, despite easing of other restrictions on public life.

The Interior Ministry said it was also in discussions with Italy's other religious communities about similar arrangements to resume public worship.