In Italy, COVID-19 reproduction and hospitalizations are on the rise amid a fresh revival. The Health Ministry registered 55,829 new coronavirus cases.
Italy's government decided Wednesday to ease several anti-Covid restrictions, including for schools, as Prime Minister Mario Draghi promised to "continue to advance on this path of reopening".
The head of Italy s military archdiocese urged members of the armed forces and police to ignore a call from Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, in hiding since 2018, to disobey orders to enforce measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19.
Italy will ease coronavirus restrictions for arrivals from the rest of the EU from February, with passengers required to show proof of vaccination, recent recovery or a negative test, but not quarantine.
Italy is set to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for people aged 50 and above in an attempt to ease pressure on its health service and reduce fatalities, a draft decree showed on Wednesday as a cabinet meeting on new curbs was still ongoing.