Italy’s shuls reopen alongside other places of worship

Synagogues and other places of worship are reopening across Italy, after the southern European country began to ease its coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

In Milan, the main synagogue opened its doors to worshippers again, with new rules requiring congregants to register in advance, so it does not exceed the limit allowed under social distancing regulations.

Congregants are also forbidden from bringing their own religious items to the synagogue, including kippot and prayer shawls. Worshippers are given a sanitised kit upon entry, which they are to hand  back as they leave.

The country has reported more than 32,000 Covid-19 deaths, the third-highest death toll in the world, but a steep drop in the number of infections has led the government to ease lockdown restrictions in recent days.