ITALY EXTENDS COVID RESTRICTIONS BUT ALLOWS CRUISE SHIPS TO SAIL

The Italian government has extended measures intended to stop the spread of coronavirus until September 7, according to a decree issued by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's cabinet on Friday night, Petra Kaminsky wrote for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) on August 8, 2020. 

Masks must continue to be worn in closed public spaces, people must continue to keep physical distance from one another, and large gatherings remain banned. 

Conte spoke of "balanced measures that do justice to the current situation," and said one must remain vigilant about the virus. Italy was one of the countries most severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic in the spring. 

The decree allows cruise ships to sail again from September 15, though strict hygiene rules must be observed on board. From September 1, trade fairs will be allowed to open again - construction and organization of the exhibitions can begin immediately. Another three billion euros (3.5 billion dollars) were made available for tourism and culture. The cabinet also paved the way for further financial aid, for the economy and families, which brought the aid package provided by the government since the beginning of the crisis in March to 100 billion euros.