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The Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, told the nation “if you love Italy, maintain distance” as he announced a plan that will see the country slowly ease lockdown measures from 4 May.

“You must always respect the safe distance of at least one metre,” he said. “Even within the family setting. Experts tell us that one out of four cases of infection occur in the family context.”

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announces on a TV live broadcast relaxed new measures starting from May 4th to overcome the national lockdown on April 26, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Italy has been under full lockdown since 11 March and the move out of it will be gradual. Manufacturing and construction activity will resume from 4 May while people can travel within their regions so long as visits are “targeted”, such as visiting family, and face masks are worn. Travel between regions is only permitted for a valid reason, such as for work or medical purposes. Museums and libraries will reopen on 18 May and bars and restaurants from 1 June, although they can offer takeout services from 4 May.

Schools will open from September.

Parks and public gardens will reopen from 4 May and people can exercise outside so long as they maintain a two-metre distance from others.

Deaths from coronavirus in Italy rose by 260 on Sunday, the lowest day-to-to increase since 14 March, while the contagion rate has been falling.

“We all want the country to restart,” Conte said. “However, the only way to live with the virus in this phase is to not fall ill — and social distancing.”