Italy, which has been on lockdown for nearly two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans to gradually reopen the country. The measures put forth by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will open the way for outdoor sports activities from May 4, as long as appropriate physical distancing measures are taken.

In Italy, the death toll from the coronavirus is estimated at nearly 27,000 since the first cases appeared in February. The country began sealing off towns with COVID-19 cases in Lombardy on February 23 and has increased the number of sealed off areas until the entire country was sealed off on March 9.

Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milan-San Remo were among the first races to be canceled as the pandemic exploded in Italy. Professional athletes were initially allowed to train outdoors, but were harassed by the public and eventually forced to stay indoors.

Italy is still experiencing more than 2,000 new cases per day, down from a peak of more than 6,600 on March 21.

Italy's professional riders association appealed earlier this month for an exemption from the rule banning outdoor activities, but was told that the cluster of coronavirus-infected people was too large to permit it.

The first phase of opening the country to sports activities will begin on May 4 by allowing single outdoor recreational activities.

From May 18, sporting events could resume under rules to be announced this week by Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora. It is expected that some sports will be played "behind closed doors," with no spectators allowed and special guidelines for distance. [Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said at a press conference at Palazzo Cigi, "The second phase will begin. It will be based on responsible behavior on the part of each of us." We must never approach and a safe distance of at least one meter. If we do not take precautions, the danger curve will rise, the number of deaths will increase, and irreparable damage will be done to our economy. If you love Italy, keep your distance."

The UCI suspended all races through June earlier this month, forcing the Giro d'Italia to be held on an undisclosed date in October.

The only major professional events scheduled for June and July -- the Adriatica Ionica race, the Giro Rosa, and the elite national championships -- were canceled or postponed; the UCI set the national championships for August 22-23; and the Giro d'Italia was postponed until October.