Italian police is preparing new “behavioral rules” to combating protests around the country, according to the local press.

As newspaper Corriere della Sera states, physical contact with protesters will have to be the “last resort”, whereas police syndicates are discussing the use of pepper spray and high-pressure water.

Experimental use of pepper sprays has begun in the larger Italian cities while high-pressure water has only been used against football fan riots, so far.

The new “code of conduct” that the Italian Ministry of Interior is discussion also states that there will be no police on the sides or the head of any protests and will keep at a safe distance.

Matteo Renzi’s government is trying to avoid the escalation of social tension, which has risen dangerously the past few weeks.