The Italian Government has introduced the first relaxation of its nationwide quarantine since 4 May. However, citizens will have to wait until 18 May to see retail stores and museums open, and beauty salons, hairdressers, bars and restaurants will only open on 1 June.
Italy was among the worst affected countries by the pandemic, with more than 28,000 deaths from nearly 210,000 infections.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 3.4 million, while more than 239,000 people have died from the disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.
Merchants rally on St Mark's Square, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Venice, Italy, 4 May 2020.
A woman rides a rental bicycle across Parco Sempione Park on 4 May 2020 in Milan as Italy starts to ease its COVID-19 lockdown. Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on 4 May 2020 as Europe's hardest-hit country incrementally softens the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
People exercise on the street, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Naples, Italy 4 May 2020.
People wearing protective masks walk on a street, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Rome, Italy 4 May 2020.
5/10
© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
A woman stands in a subway wagon at a stop, in Milan, Italy, Monday, 4 May 2020. Italy began stirring again Monday after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, with 4.4 million Italians able to return to work and restrictions on movement eased in the first European country to lock down in a bid to stem COVID-19 infections.
People shop at the food market of Porta Palazzo in Turin on 4 May 2020, as Italy starts to ease its COVID-19 lockdown. Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on 4 May 2020 as Europe's hardest-hit country incrementally softens the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
People wearing face masks arrive at the Cadorna railway station, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Milan, Italy 4 May 2020.
A child plays with a kite at the Sempione Park, after parks reopen as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to a spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Milan, Italy, 4 May 2020.
9/10
© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
A safety guard checks passengers with a thermo scanner as they arrive at the Cadorna railway station, in Milan, Italy, Monday, 4 May 2020. Italy began stirring again Monday after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, with 4.4 million Italians able to return to work and restrictions on movement eased in what had been the first European country to lock down in a bid to stem COVID-19 infections.
People are seen at the seaside, as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown which was put in place due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Naples, 4 May 2020.
