Lockdown Eased in Italy for the First Time in 8 Weeks

In Italy, on Monday, May 4, for the first time in almost 2 months, the lockdown measures introduced to contain the coronavirus infection were eased. Many industrial enterprises resume work. Parks are open for walks. Open air museums are also open. People are allowed to leave their homes to meet with relatives. At the same time, the government explained that going to visit friends is still not allowed. The authorities call the current concessions "the second lockdown phase." Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte constantly emphasizes that complete removal of restrictions are not considered. People are required to maintain a “social distance." Most of the shops are still closed, restaurants and cafes sell only for takeaways. They are expected to open on May 18. Schools will remain closed until the end of the school year. It is also unclear when theaters and cinemas will open. The authorities consider it unlikely that a full restoration of international tourism will be possible before the end of the year. Italy was the first European country which at the end of February faced a sharp increase in coronavirus cases and then in the number of deaths. Regions in the north of the country, especially Lombardy, were especially affected. Authorities first declared lockdown in the north, and from March 12 throughout the country. Subsequently, the measures were tightened. It was possible to leave the house only for valid reasons, shops, service enterprises, most industrial enterprises stopped working. Following Italy, many other European countries introduced similar measures.. At some point, Italy came out on top in the world in the number of infections and deaths. Then the United States were ahead of Italy. In recent weeks, the number of new infections has been gradually decreasing, and the number of recoveries is increasing. However, even now, approximately one and a half thousand new cases of infection are detected every day. In just 2.5 months more than 210 thousand infected with coronavirus were detected in Italy, more than 28 thousand died. In total, as of May 4, more than 3.5 million cases of infection are in the world, Italy is in third place.