People across Italy violently protested new lockdown measures imposed Monday after a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Sunday that "to avoid a second general lockdown," gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, and theaters must close until November 24 at the earliest, with all bars and restaurants to close by 6 p.m. every day.
This week Italy entered its worst period of the pandemic since March and April, when it was an epicenter of the pandemic.
On Monday, the country recorded 17,012 new cases and 141 new deaths, according to the health ministry. On Sunday, it reported a high of 21,273 daily new cases, along with 128 deaths.
Despite this, the new rules were met with derision across Italy.
Businesses said they would crumble under the measures, though Conte has promised a compensation package to alleviate damage.
Protests broke out in cities and small towns alike on Monday. The largest and most violent were in Turin, Milan, and Naples.
Videos posted on social media showed a group of people breaking into and looting a Gucci store in Turin.
—Kate98 (@CaterinaRossi0) October 26, 2020
—Dr. Jörg D. Valentin (@drjdvalentin) October 25, 2020
In Milan, the police detained 28 people following clashes with protesters, according to La Repubblica.
And in Rome, about 300 people gathered to protest, with two police officers reportedly injured during the clashes.
Protesters also gathered in Lecce, Trieste, Viareggio, Pescara, Catania, and Cremona.
A group of protesters Lecce chanted "Better the risk of dying from COVID than the certainty of dying of hunger," La Repubblica reported.
Conte said on Sunday that the anger was understandable but added that "we can't allow professional organizers of social unrest to infiltrate these protests."
The measures imposed on Monday were the latest and most severe in a string of rules introduced this fall.
On October 19, Conte gave local mayors the power to close their town centers by 9 p.m.
And on October 7, the government made it compulsory to wear masks outdoors.
In September, Italy seemed to be avoiding the second COVID-19 wave that was hitting Europe. But it has joined its neighbors in struggling to contain outbreaks.
