Clubs and beach party locations have closed in the Italian region of Calabria due to a rising number of coronavirus infections.
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Dancefloors indoors and outdoors are to close until Sept. 7, Regional President Jole Santelli ordered.
The policy in the popular tourist region comes in the middle of the country’s holiday season and just before the Ferragosto public holiday on Aug. 15.
The new rule could be extended to the whole country, Italy’s Minister for Regional Affairs Fransceco Boccia said on Friday.
“We are obviously doing better than other European countries, but the virus is circulating, and we have to continue being cautious,” Boccia said.
Although the government in Rome had opposed reopening nightlife, it had given some leeway to the 20 regions in implementing their own policies in May.
Boccia said Rome was in dialogue with the regions, and would immediately reimpose restrictions if number rose.
Clubs remained open in another southern region, Puglia, though revellers have to wear masks, even outdoors, according to news agency Adnkronos.
Italy was the first European country to experience a major coronavirus outbreak.
It has recorded over 35,000 deaths and more than 252,000 infections.