Still Rome-in about... Police crowd control can’t stop festive shoppers
SHOPPERS have continued to pour on to the streets of Rome despite crowd control measures designed to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
A string of restrictions, including limits on numbers and the closure of some subway stations at weekends, were imposed earlier this month amid fears people were packed too close together. Police have also been drafted in to monitor crowds, with officers using helicopters to keep an eye on footfall.
And some department stores have reportedly been ordered to shut on Sundays.
But – as our photo of the Via del Corso shows – the measures have failed to put off many from getting in a bit of early Christmas shopping.
Italy’s official death toll from the virus – the second worst in Europe behind the UK – topped 50,000 yesterday.
The health ministry reported a further 30 fatalities, taking the total since February to 50,453. There were also 22,930 new infections.