Local covered food markets in Rome's historic centre will close later from March to allow workers more time to do their shopping. The city council has decided that the mercati rioni within the first municipio (1st district) of Rome will be open until 19.00 three days a week for a trial period; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in the winter months and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the summer months. The city council said that this new measure was not only to get the city in line with the modern working patterns of Rome residents but also to give the market greengrocers a fair chance of competing with supermarkets and other medium-sized businesses.