Public masses in Italy to resume on May 18 after two-month ban

The Italian government and Roman Catholic bishops signed an agreement on Thursday to allow the faithful to attend masses from May 18 after a nearly two-month ban due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Masses were banned in early March in order to prevent spread of COVID-19 in Italy, which has been one of the hardest-hit countries in the world.

According to a protocol signed by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian Bishops Conference, masses for the public will be resumed under strict conditions including mandatory mask wearing in church and there'll be a maximum capacity of the church.

Also, all churchgoers will have to maintain a one-meter distance from others, inside and outside the church.