As Italy gears up to ease lockdown measures amid a steady decline in the coronavirus figures, the country's emergency response commissioner Domenico Arcuri urged people to not lower their guards and continue taking preventive measures.

"On Monday, Phase Two begins. We have to be aware that it will be the start of an even bigger challenge," emergency response commissioner Domenico Arcuri said at a press conference.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-signs-of-coronavirus-spread-slowing-european-nations-prepare-easing-restrictions-296381">Amid signs of coronavirus spread slowing, European nations prepare easing restrictions</a>

"We must maintain social distancing, maximum hygiene levels, and masks. We've done our bit to the best of our ability. From Monday, it's up to you," he said, urging citizens to "not lower your guards."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-in-europe-top-15-million-report-296285">Coronavirus cases in Europe top 1.5 million: Report</a>

Italy will ease the two-month nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus that has killed 28,710 people in the country, second highest after the United States.

Under the new relaxations, Italians would be allowed to stroll in parks and meet relatives. Restaurants can offer takeaway services and wholesale stores can reopen.&nbsp;

However, the country's death toll jumped by the highest number since April 21 on Saturday with 474 new deaths.

But, the higher number could also be because of the previous uncounted fatalities that are now added.&nbsp;

Also, the trends two days before the easing of lockdown suggest&nbsp;a continual reduction in the number of infections and deaths.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

As Italy gears up to ease lockdown measures amid a steady decline in the coronavirus figures, the country's emergency response commissioner Domenico Arcuri urged people to not lower their guards and continue taking preventive measures.

As Italy gears up to ease lockdown measures amid a steady decline in the coronavirus figures, the country's emergency response commissioner Domenico Arcuri urged people to not lower their guards and continue taking preventive measures. "On Monday, Phase Two begins. We have to be aware that it will be the start of an even bigger challenge," emergency response commissioner Domenico Arcuri said at a press conference. Also read | Amid signs of coronavirus spread slowing, European nations prepare easing restrictions "We must maintain social distancing, maximum hygiene levels, and masks. We've done our bit to the best of our ability. From Monday, it's up to you," he said, urging citizens to "not lower your guards." Also read | Coronavirus cases in Europe top 1.5 million: Report Italy will ease the two-month nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus that has killed 28,710 people in the country, second highest after the United States. Under the new relaxations, Italians would be allowed to stroll in parks and meet relatives. Restaurants can offer takeaway services and wholesale stores can reopen. However, the country's death toll jumped by the highest number since April 21 on Saturday with 474 new deaths. But, the higher number could also be because of the previous uncounted fatalities that are now added. Also, the trends two days before the easing of lockdown suggest a continual reduction in the number of infections and deaths.

'It's up to you': Italians get key message as two-month lockdown enters final day

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte vowed Sunday to reopen schools by September and allow many businesses to resume in a week's time as the country emerges from a near-total shutdown.

Conte told La Repubblica newspaper that he will spell out the full details of how Italy will ease its way out of the world's longest active coronavirus lockdown by the start of next week.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-us-witnesses-nearly-2500-deaths-in-last-24-hours-toll-over-53000-294797">Coronavirus: US witnesses nearly 2,500 deaths in last 24 hours; toll over 53,000</a>

He has reportedly been presented with a cautious proposal that involves a gradual lifting of restrictions over the course of May.

Italy's official death toll of 26,384 is Europe's highest and only second globally to the United States.

But its number of cases has been ebbing and Italy believes its contagion rate -- reported at between 0.2 and 0.7 -- is low enough below the key threshold of 1.0 to try and get back to work.

"We cannot continue beyond this lockdown -- we risk damaging the country's socioeconomic fabric too much," Conte told La Repubblica.

'Very high risk'&nbsp;

Italy gradually closed everything over the first half March as it became increasingly clear that an initial batch of cases in northern areas around Milan was spreading.

Scientists now believe that Italy's infections probably began in January -- if not earlier -- and that the virus was running rampant by the time the first official COVID-19 death was recorded on February 21.

But Italy's health care system held the line and Conte now appears to feel safe enough to focus on mending an economy that his team expects to shrink by eight percent this year.

Conte said his government will "allow a large number of companies" to restart on May 4.

Italy's schools were closed before most other businesses and will now be one of the last to reopen.

He said the return to school was filled with peril because many teachers were older and at greater risk of catching the virus.

"Schools are at the centre of our attention and will reopen in September," the premier said.

Conte explained that resuming tuition before then involved "a very high risk of contagion".

'Greater freedom'&nbsp;

Many Italians are most concerned about when they will finally be able to walk in parks and jog without being stopped and fined by the police.

Italy's stay-at-home orders were announced nationally on March 9 and require everyone to stay within about a block of their front door.

Many have turned their roofs into improvised gyms and even tennis courts in a collective effort to avoid going stir crazy.

"We are not yet in a position to restore full freedom of movement, but we are studying a relaxation of the current, strict regime," Conte said.

"We will make sure to allow greater freedom of movement while maintaining our guarantee to prevent and contain contagion."

Media reports say the government might allow people to move freely within cities but limit their travel between the country's 20 regions.

Conte was also reportedly considering the option of outfitting airports and train stations with thermal scanners that can flag people who are running fevers.

But Conte cautioned against expecting bars and restaurants to open their doors in May -- or tourists returning this summer.

"We will be reviewing our social distancing rules," said Conte.

"But this does not mean that we will be abandoning them."

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte vowed Sunday to reopen schools by September and allow many businesses to resume in a week's time as the country emerges from a near-total shutdown.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte vowed Sunday to reopen schools by September and allow many businesses to resume in a week's time as the country emerges from a near-total shutdown. Conte told La Repubblica newspaper that he will spell out the full details of how Italy will ease its way out of the world's longest active coronavirus lockdown by the start of next week. Also read | Coronavirus: US witnesses nearly 2,500 deaths in last 24 hours; toll over 53,000 He has reportedly been presented with a cautious proposal that involves a gradual lifting of restrictions over the course of May. Italy's official death toll of 26,384 is Europe's highest and only second globally to the United States. But its number of cases has been ebbing and Italy believes its contagion rate -- reported at between 0.2 and 0.7 -- is low enough below the key threshold of 1.0 to try and get back to work. "We cannot continue beyond this lockdown -- we risk damaging the country's socioeconomic fabric too much," Conte told La Repubblica. 'Very high risk' Italy gradually closed everything over the first half March as it became increasingly clear that an initial batch of cases in northern areas around Milan was spreading. Scientists now believe that Italy's infections probably began in January -- if not earlier -- and that the virus was running rampant by the time the first official COVID-19 death was recorded on February 21. But Italy's health care system held the line and Conte now appears to feel safe enough to focus on mending an economy that his team expects to shrink by eight percent this year. Conte said his government will "allow a large number of companies" to restart on May 4. Italy's schools were closed before most other businesses and will now be one of the last to reopen. He said the return to school was filled with peril because many teachers were older and at greater risk of catching the virus. "Schools are at the centre of our attention and will reopen in September," the premier said. Conte explained that resuming tuition before then involved "a very high risk of contagion". 'Greater freedom' Many Italians are most concerned about when they will finally be able to walk in parks and jog without being stopped and fined by the police. Italy's stay-at-home orders were announced nationally on March 9 and require everyone to stay within about a block of their front door. Many have turned their roofs into improvised gyms and even tennis courts in a collective effort to avoid going stir crazy. "We are not yet in a position to restore full freedom of movement, but we are studying a relaxation of the current, strict regime," Conte said. "We will make sure to allow greater freedom of movement while maintaining our guarantee to prevent and contain contagion." Media reports say the government might allow people to move freely within cities but limit their travel between the country's 20 regions. Conte was also reportedly considering the option of outfitting airports and train stations with thermal scanners that can flag people who are running fevers. But Conte cautioned against expecting bars and restaurants to open their doors in May -- or tourists returning this summer. "We will be reviewing our social distancing rules," said Conte. "But this does not mean that we will be abandoning them."

Coronavirus in Italy: PM Giuseppe Conte vows to reopen schools in September

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'It's up to you': Italians get key message as two-month lockdown enters final day

Coronavirus in Italy: PM Giuseppe Conte vows to reopen schools in September