Italy has unveiled tough new restrictions for Christmas after recording the highest number of daily coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began.

(San Francisco Chronicle)

Figures show there were 993 COVID-related deaths and 23,225 new cases on Thursday. The previous record of 919 deaths came in March at the peak of the first wave.

Italy was the first Western country to be hit by COVID-19 - and from 21 December to 6 January, people will only be allowed to move between the nation's 20 regions for work, medical reasons or emergencies.

People are being urged not to invite any guests to their homes during the Christmas period, amid fears it could lead to a further spike in new infections. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is also being banned.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte added that movement between towns will also be forbidden on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day - and a curfew will be in force on New Year's Eve from 10pm until 7am.

"It's clear this will be a Christmas that is different from the others but it will be no less authentic," he added.

(Lupni.com/Sky News)