Veneto defies Italy, lifts lockdown restrictions early

The northern Italian region of Veneto has defied the national government's plan by lifting some coronavirus lockdown restrictions a week earlier than scheduled.

Veneto governor Luca Zaia announced that residents are allowed to exercise freely and travel within the region to visit second homes or do maintenance work starting Monday evening and Tuesday morning, respectively.

Zaia criticized the national government's cautious approach, stating it could lead to social conflict and hinder people's ability to live.

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had set May 4 as the start date for easing curbs, with a gradual rollback over the following month.

Veneto, an early hotspot for the virus, has seen a slowdown in new cases compared to Lombardy, another northern region.

Despite Veneto's move, other regional governors have not indicated they would follow suit.

The Roman Catholic Church also criticized Conte's decision to maintain a ban on religious services, deeming it an arbitrary exclusion from the rollback.