Italy PM announces new restrictions ahead of Xmas

The Italian Prime Minister announced new coronavirus measures for the Christmas and New Year holiday season on Thursday that will make it difficult for extended families to celebrate together.

Giuseppe Conte said the new measures will take effect on Friday and they include a ban on people travelling outside their home regions from December 21 to January 6. On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, the restrictions are even tighter, with people confined to the town or city where they live. No ski lifts can operate until January 7.

A nationwide overnight curfew remains in place from 10 pm, with a longer curfew on New Year's Eve. He was speaking as Italy recorded new 993 coronavirus deaths in the previous 24 hours. To try to soften the situation and boost shopping, the Italian government has also approved a cash-back measure which will allow citizens to get 10% per cent back of what they spend during the holiday season with electronic payments up to 150 Euros.