Rome, August 16 (RHC)-- Faced with an uptick in coronavirus cases blamed in part on young partygoers, Italy has ordered the three-week closure of all dance venues.

In a decree signed by Health Minister Roberto Speranza, the government also said that from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the wearing of masks would be mandatory in public areas where groups could form.  Closed establishments had already been barred from operating.  

The new measure, to take effect on Monday and last through September 7th, comes after wrangling between the government and regions over the nightlife sector, which employs nearly 50,000 people in 3,000 clubs across the country, according to the nightclub operators' union SILB.