Italy closes Nightclubs & orders masks to be worn after increase in Covid-19 cases

Italy is to shut discos and clubs for three weeks and make it compulsory to wear a mask outdoors in some areas at night after an increase in new Covid-19 cases.

The new rules mark the first reimposition of coronavirus restrictions as cases pick up across the country, especially among younger people.

New cases in the past week in Italy, the first European country to be hit hard by the coronavirus, were more than double those registered three weeks ago and the median age of people contracting the virus has dropped below 40.

The new rules will start on Monday – two days after an Italian holiday when many young Italians go out dancing – and will run until early September.

Masks will be required between 6pm and 6am in areas close to bars and pubs and where gatherings are more likely.

The government kept clubs open despite criticism that they attracted large crowds, that social distancing was not being respected and masks were not being worn.