Rome, April 1 : Italy has extended a number of coronavirus-related restrictions until the end of April, the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced after a meeting.

However, the state wants to reopen schools for younger children after Easter, dpa news reported.

In addition, a new decree passed by the cabinet provides for compulsory vaccination for many workers in the medical field and in other parts of the healthcare system.

Employees in hospitals and pharmacies who refuse to be vaccinated are to be assigned other tasks that do not pose a risk of infection.

Children up to the sixth grade should return to classrooms – even in the particularly affected so-called red zones.

Italy also aims to gradually end distance learning for older pupils.

The decree applies from April 7.

Many regulations, such as the extended restrictions on freedom of movement, will run until April 30

IANS