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The Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, has said anyone who disposes of any PPE such as face masks and gloves faces a fine of up to £444 (€500). According to the 41-year-old, officials in the city have registered several cases of masks and gloves being littered around the capital – despite the need for the equipment of the COVID-19 frontline.

A poll of more than 1,000 Express.co.uk readers has found the overwhelming majority believe the UK Government should introduce similar measures.

The survey conducted on Tuesday May 26 between 12.55pm and 9.00pm asked 1,088 readers “Should the UK introduce £500 fines for this disgusting coronavirus habit?”

A huge 85 percent (917) of people thought it should be implemented and voted yes.

Just 14 percent (158) participants were against the idea and voted no.

Meanwhile, less than one percent (13) remained undecided and selected the not sure option.

A number of Express.co.uk readers let their feelings known in the comments section and condemned the littering of vital equipment.

One user said: “Litter is litter whatever it is it shouldn’t be dropped on the street.”

A second reader said: “It would be a first step to get people to wear masks on the street.”

A third user commented: “Should be fined for throwing anything on the floor.”

Under Italy’s second phase, members of the public are permitted to travel within regions to visit relatives but they must wear facial coverings.

However since the lockdown exit strategy has been implemented, reports have emerged of pavements and parks becoming filled with discarded PPE.

Ms Raggi said: “In these months of coronavirus health emergency our operators have repeatedly indicated they are collecting many used gloves and masks thrown by uncivilised people.

“A shameful behaviour that, thanks to this measure, will be severely sanctioned.”

On May 18, bars, restaurants and hairdressers were reopened although they are required to limit the number of customers.

With the infection rate dropping sharply over the last few days, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte revealed travel to and from Italy will be allowed from June 3.

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Travellers will also be able to enter the country from other EU countries without entering a 14-day quarantine period.

Italy has been one of the worst countries affected by the coronavirus pandemic and had been the epicentre of the outbreak in Europe.

Italy has recorded more the 230,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 32,000 deaths – the third highest in the world.

At this afternoon’s coronavirus briefing from Downing Street, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the UK has signed a deal to manufacture two billions items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the UK.

Mr Hancock said: “I can announce that we have now signed contracts to manufacture two billion items of PPE here in the UK.

“Around the world, we’ve signed deals with over 100 new suppliers including agreeing contracts for a further 3.7 billion gloves.

“While we continue to improve the logistics and work hard to get everyone the PPE they need, these new supplies mean we’re not simply keeping up with demand, we’re now able to begin to replenish our stockpiles.”

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