The Italian government is planning to extend its lockdown to contain the country’s COVID-19 outbreak until May 3, two trade union sources told Reuters on Thursday after meeting ministers. The lockdown, closing most Italian businesses and preventing people leaving their homes for all but essential needs, has been in place since March 9 and was due to end on April 13. After a marked reduction from previous peaks, new infections have picked up in the past two days, frustrating hopes that the illness was in clear retreat. “The Prime Minister has confirmed that, as of today, the conditions to restart the suspended activities are not yet in place,” UIL union leader Carmelo Barbagallo said in a statement. After the government shuttered businesses not deemed essential to the supply chain on March 21, calls have recently been growing from industry lobbies to reopen some activities to prevent […]