Italian schools will remain closed beyond the initial April 3 deadline, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced from Rome on Saturday.

It is clear that the suspension of school activities will continue," Conte said. "There is no prospect of returning to ordinary activities at school and university."

The decision on suspending nonessential production activities will be taken next week, Conte said.

"We know this measure has a great impact, it's very costly, but our priority is the health of citizens," Conte said.