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Italians Protest New COVID Restrictions

Sabina Castelfranco

   MILAN - Violent protests erupted in more than 15 cities across Italy
   after the government announced new measures to rein in a second wave of
   COVID-19 infections. Italian leaders are rushing to stave off criticism
   with a financial rescue package for struggling businesses.
   Angry protesters took to the streets of some of Italy's largest cities
   but also smaller ones from the north to the south of the country to
   show their discontent with the new nationwide COVID-19 restrictions.
   Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told Italians he was well aware "this is
   a complex moment as this is a pandemic that is harshly challenging us,
   causing anger, frustration and new inequalities. Aware of how many
   businesses are suffering, Conte said the government had worked out a
   plan.
   He said that compensation has already been earmarked for all those who
   will suffer under the new restrictions.
   Government officials hope the measures will be enough to quell the
   anger.
   Italians were the first to face a widespread outbreak of the virus
   earlier this year and were hit with one of the world's toughest
   lockdowns, which did serious damage to the country's economy.
   At the time, they complied with the government's rules and the tough
   action managed to rein in the virus by the summer.

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