There are hopes Serie A fixtures could resume between 27 May and 2 June – with the season finishing in early August.
There has been no formal announcement on when league matches may resume.
Italy has reported 26,644 coronavirus-related deaths – the highest amount in a European country.
The 260 it reported on Sunday is the lowest daily amount since 14 March.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a televised address that players would be able “to undertake training individually from 4 May, in groups from 18 May, and then we’ll evaluate if there are the conditions to allow the season to be completed”.
He added: “We need to complete all the discussions to ensure that if we do reach that stage, we’ll do so in the utmost safety and security. We are passionate about sport and don’t want our athletes to get sick.
“I’m passionate for football. Like many Italians, I initially found it strange that the championship could be interrupted or suspended but I think that even the most ardent fan understands that there wasn’t an alternative.”
Conte added that when “phase two” of the lockdown plan begins on 4 May with the easing of restrictions, social distancing of at least one metre must be maintained and this extends to two metres when exercising.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) hopes to begin testing players for the virus at the start of May to allow for a safe return to training and has already drawn up a medical protocol.
For the start of training, each club will form a group of players, technical staff, doctors and physiotherapists who will be tested and then isolated in a summer-style training camp.
There are also plans to donate five Covid test kits for each kit used by clubs to avoid the criticism that football is taking much-needed resources from other areas.
(BBC)
