Italians will soon also have to wear a mouth mask when they are outside. Health Minister Roberto Speranza officially announced this already expected measure in parliament on Tuesday.
The decree that legally regulates this should be adopted on Wednesday, the minister said.
He said that the rules to keep a distance would be more strictly enforced given the danger of spreading the coronavirus during gatherings.
Children under 6 years old, people who cannot tolerate a mouth mask medically and athletes are excluded. This also applies to people who eat or drink something outside at a cafe or restaurant.
In several regions, it is already mandatory to wear a mouth mask outside, including Lazio, Sicily and Campania.
The number of infections in Italy is increasing. On Monday, 2,257 new cases were reported.