Italy tightens COVID-19 curbs in Sicily

ROME: The Italian health minister signed an executive order on Friday imposing mandatory mask-wearing outdoors in the southern region of Sicily as of Monday, in an effort to curb a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations.

It was the first time the government has had to re-tighten rules in any region since late June. "This is confirmation that the virus is not yet defeated and that the priority is to continue to invest in the vaccination campaign," Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement.