The first COVID-19 lifts after Christmas began in Italy due to an improvement of the epidemiological situation. 

Museums and archaeological parks have opened since Monday in almost all regions, TASS reported.

The museums will open only on weekdays and when ordering entrance tickets in advance. Earlier, the directorate of the Vatican Museums announced the opening of the papal treasury, extending the period of temporary exhibitions. The Vatican museums, as well as the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, will also be open on Saturdays.

A total lockdown was not introduced in Italy, but after a sharp increase in the number of infections in mid-October, serious restrictions were imposed in the country - including a curfew from 10 pm. Besides, shopping centers were closed on weekends, and all cultural institutions, gyms, and swimming pools.

Areas were classified as red, orange, and yellow zones, depending on the epidemiological data.