Reax from Rome as Conte signs in new virus rules

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, has signed a new series of restrictions aimed at containing the persistent virus resurgence, which become effective across Italy on Sunday. The new rules will run until February 15 and extend the ban on traveling between regions and maintain a 10pm to 5am curfew. The opening of ski lifts has been postponed for a second time. And in a rule which has been criticized by regional leaders, bars must close completely at 6pm, and cannot offer take-away or delivery as is permitted by restaurants. Italy has been operating on a three-tier set of restrictions, with red zones put on partial lockdown allowing outings only for proven reasons like work, grocery shopping or the pharmacy. All non-essential businesses are closed. In orange zones, residents are permitted limited visits to friends and family members residing in the same town and in yellow zones in the same regions. The governor of hard-hit Lombardy in the north is protesting plans to put his region under the tightest restrictions.