Italian president warns coronavirus crisis 'is not over'
The coronavirus crisis is not over in Italy, President Sergio Mattarella warned on the country's national day Tuesday, a day after a respected doctor created a furore by claiming that the virus no more "exists" in the country.
The most recent figures in Italy continue steadily to show a downward trend in new cases since it prepares another stage of its gradual easing of a national lockdown, after practically 33,500 persons died over 90 days from Covid-19.
Italians were celebrating Republic Day with "feelings of uncertainty and reasons to hope," Mattarella said.
"The crisis isn't over and institutions and citizens alike will still need to face its consequences and trauma," Mattarella warned.
It might be "unacceptable and unforgivable to squander this legacy of sacrifice, pain, hope and the need to trust our people," he said.
"Italy -- in this emergency situation -- has demonstrated its best face," Mattarella said, adding that he was proud of his country and the "moral unity" of Italians which is "the engine of rebirth".
Alberto Zangrillo, head of the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, had caused a furore by claiming that the virus no longer existed in Italy, prompting the government and experts all over the world to urge caution.
Mattarella on Tuesday took part in national day celebrations wearing a face mask as he laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome.
The Frecce Tricolori -- the aerobatic squad of the Italian Air Force -- flew over Rome, releasing a trail of smoke over the sky in the three colours of the national flag.
They had flown over several cities in the north, the area of the peninsula hardest hit by the brand new coronavirus, earlier in the week for a "message of hope and solidarity".
The holiday marks the day in 1946 when Italians, in a passionate referendum, eliminated the monarchy and became a republic.
Mattarella was due to visit Codogno, the city where in fact the virus first appeared in Italy in mid-February, on Tuesday afternoon to pay tribute to the memory of coronavirus victims in the Lombardy region.
Still traumatised but eager to go back to normal life and revive the economy, specifically the tourism sector, Italy has been gradually loosening restrictions because the beginning of May.
Shops, cafes and terraces have reopened, as have the vast majority of monuments and tourist sites including Saint Peter's Basilica, Pompeii, the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the cathedrals of Milan and Florence and the Vatican Museums.
As a final step in lifting the restrictions, borders will reopen to foreign tourists on Wednesday and Italians will once again be permitted to move freely between your country's regions.
The federal government has insisted this is just about the most dangerous phases of the pandemic and has urged persons to abide by social distancing rules and wear masks to avoid the virus from spreading once more.
According to the latest official daily death toll, 60 persons have died from COVID-19 within the last 24 hours and 178 new cases were recorded, the lowest figure since February 26. -- AFP
