ROME (AP) — Italy, Spain and other European countries are reinstating or stiffening mask mandates as their hospitals struggle with mounting numbers of COVID-19 patients.

Other nations like the Netherlands are considering introducing masking rules.

The use of more protective FFP2 masks in Italy is also seen as a way to keep businesses running and public services provided.

The Italian government says vaccinated people who had contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus can avoid quarantine as long as they wear an FFP2 mask when in public for 10 days.

On Christmas Eve, the country announced that FFP2 masks must be worn on public transport, including planes, trains, ferries, and subways, the Associated Press reported.

They must also be worn at theaters, cinemas and sports events, indoors or out, and can’t be removed when eating or drinking, the news outlet reported.

These strategies sharply contrast with those of Britain whose government has emphasized vaccination and where mask-wearing dropped off markedly last year.

In Spain, they reinstated its outdoor mask rule on Christmas Eve, the AP reported.

In Portugal, they restored its mask mandate back at the end of November.

In Greece, they brought back its outdoor mask mandate, while also requiring everyone to wear an FFP2 mask on public transport and in indoor public spaces.

CLEVELAND — The NFL has postponed three games scheduled for this weekend due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Browns and Raiders, originally scheduled to play in a nationally televised game on Saturday, will now play Monday evening at 5 p.m. ET in Cleveland. Two other games originally scheduled for Sunday — Seahawks-Rams and Washington-Eagles — will now be played Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

The Browns, Rams and Washington Football Team are all experiencing major outbreaks of COVID-19. All three clubs have at least 20 players on their COVID-19 reserve lists.

The NFL made it clear that postponing games would not be something they'd like to do. The 2021 season marks the league's first with a 17 game regular season, so the league said it did not anticipate adding another week to the schedule to play postponed games.

But postponements, while not a "right" for clubs, can happen this season, and the league made the call to do so Friday.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said this summer that while unlikely, postponements can occur if "required by government authorities, medical experts, or at the Commissioner's discretion."

This story is breaking and will be updated.

This story was originally published by Camryn Justice on Scripps station WEWS in Cleveland.

The New York City Marathon is happening in 2021, but organizers say some new COVID protocols will be put into place.

According to the website, runners will have to prove they've received at least one round of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test within 48 hours of the race.

Runners won't have to wear a mask while on the course, but they will be required to wear them at the Expo, on public transportation during race day, and at the start and finish areas.

Organizers said they would be scattering start times to reduce crowds and increase spacing to ensure proper social distancing.

The marathon is set for Nov. 7.