The Vatican extends blocking measures to Easter Monday

The Holy See extended its blockade measures until April 13, Easter Monday, in accordance with the recently extended national blockade in Italy, the Vatican announced Friday.

The Basilica and St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Museums and several other public offices in Vatican City State have been closed for more than three weeks. Initially scheduled to last until April 3, these measures have been extended for another nine days.

To date, a total of seven confirmed cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed among Vatican employees.

According to a statement by Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See press office, the departments of the Roman Curia and the Vatican City State continued to work only "in essential and mandatory activities that cannot be postponed".

The Vatican City State has its own independent legal system which is separate from the Italian legal system, but the director of the Holy See press office has repeatedly stated that Vatican City is implementing measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in coordination with the Italian authorities.

During the Vatican blockade, which entered into force on March 10, the city state pharmacy and supermarket remain open. However, the mobile post office in St. Peter's Square, the photo services office and the bookstores are closed.

The Vatican continues "to guarantee essential services to the universal Church", according to a statement of 24 March.