Tourists ordered to wear masks outside on island of Capri

THE mayor of Capri made face masks mandatory in all public spaces during the evening after the popular holiday island was swarmed with Italian and foreign tourists despite the existing travel restrictions.

Local authorities found huge crowds gathering in the island’s central streets over the weekend, in breach of social-distancing rules.

Under the new rules, masks must be worn outdoors at the weekend between 6:00pm and 4:00am.

“I can’t do anything different,” said Mayor Marino Lembo.

“We managed to have no Covid-19 cases during the most difficult days of the pandemic and, for sure, we don’t want to have infected people on the island when the tourist season is reaching its peak.”

Italy has been among the countries worst hit by Covid-19, which has claimed more than 35,000 lives.

Capri’s stricter rules also take into account its peculiar environment. The island, known for its romantic grottos and blue sea, has a reduced police staff and limited hospital facilities.

Transporting possible Covid-19 patients to the mainland in case of stormy weather conditions could prove very difficult.