ROME, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Italy took a first decisive step towards a post-pandemic phase on Monday, the first day of reopening amid decreasing coronavirus cases.
Restaurants, bars, outdoor sporting facilities and museums were among the activities allowed to restart in the 14 "yellow" regions, which show a low risk of contagion on the basis of local coronavirus data.
The government's reopening "roadmap" set a precise schedule for gradually lifting containment measures, with different timings for various restricted sectors to restart between late April and early July.
The country's Health Ministry reported 8,444 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking its total number of infections to over 3.9 million cases.
Some 301 new fatalities were also recorded, bringing Italy's total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 119,539. Recoveries grew by 16,539 to a total of 3.39 million people, the ministry said.
Also on Monday, Prime Minister Mario Draghi highlighted the importance of the 248-billion-euro (299.8 billion U.S. dollars) national resilience and recovery plan.
After a two-day discussion in parliament, the cabinet said the plan would be passed and then sent to European Union (EU) authorities in Brussels for final review between Wednesday and Friday.
If approved, the recovery plan will be mostly financed by EU resources, as provided by the Next Generation EU program launched last year.
"Thinking the National Resilience and Recovery Plan just as a simple set of projects-- although necessary and ambitious -- and of numbers, goals, and deadlines, would be a mistake," Draghi said.
"In this set of programs ... lies, also and above all, the destiny of our country."
So far, some 17.8 million doses of vaccine have been administered across Italy, and 5.2 million people have received both shots, according to government statistics.
"The European Immunization Week (April 26 - May 2) is focused on COVID-19 vaccines this year, which is undoubtedly a priority now," National Health Institute chief Silvio Brusaferro said on Monday.
"Yet, it is crucial not to leave other routine immunization (programs) behind, because this would have a negative impact on public health long after the coronavirus pandemic will be gone."
