Milan’s mayor lashes out at those breaking virus rules

The mayor of Milan — the first Western metropolis to shut down because of the coronavirus — reacted furiously Friday to images of young people ignoring social distancing rules as they gathered in a trendy neighbourhood for the typical aperitivo.

Mayor Giuseppe Sala warned that “a handful of crazy people” were putting the city’s economic recovery at risk.

“There are moments when it is time to get p---ed off. And this is one of those moments,” Sala said in a video address.

“We are not just in a health crisis — and we see how the pandemic has touched this city — but we are in a deep socioeconomic crisis,’’ Sala said.

It was the second time since Italy eased the twomonth lockdown on

Monday — allowing greater freedom of movement inside town and city limits and sending more than 4.5 million people back to work — that Milan city officials have castigated public behaviour. The deputy mayor earlier this week warned parks would be closed if people didn’t stop gathering in groups and if they didn’t keep their masks on.

Sala said that irresponsible behaviour risked the ability of other categories of workers to restart their jobs on May 18 when stores reopen and

June 1 when restaurants and bars reopen to seated guests. Deputy Mayor Anna Scavuzzo told SkyTG24 that there were both municipal and state police out trying to enforce the rules along the popular Navilgi on Thursday night, but “there were hundreds who don’t listen to reason.”