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Countering Italian Government, Governor Shuts Migrant Centers

Sabina Castelfranco

   ROME - Despite protests from Italy's central government, the governor
   of Sicily has ordered all migrant centers on the island be shut down
   Monday and all migrants be transferred to shelters on the mainland,
   citing concerns about a new surge of COVID-19 cases. The governor is
   drawing fire from officials in Italy's central government, who say he
   has no authority to do so.

   The governor of Sicily, Nello Musumeci, issued an order for all
   migrants to be transferred out of reception centers on the island to
   others on the mainland, saying it is not possible to guarantee the
   health measures necessary to prevent COVID-19 infections.

   Musumeci's order effectively closed ports on the island to the arrival
   of migrants vessels of all kinds, including ones operated by charities.

   Italy's Interior Ministry reacted saying Musumeci's order has no value
   because migration is an issue for the central government.

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