Violent Riots against Italy's Measurements to Fight Coronavirus

Today, demonstrations broke out across the country, with clashes in two cities, as daily Coronavirus cases rise to fresh records.

Protests against new restrictions designed to resist the Coronavirus have broken out across Italy, with violence reported in Turin and Milan, in the country’s north.

Protesters turned out by the hundreds in Turin, Milan and other Italian cities and towns Monday to vent their anger at the pandemic restrictions that force restaurants and cafes to close early and shutter cinemas, gyms and other leisure venues.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Milan, which was the epicentre of the global pandemic in March, at the regional government’s headquarters, with some throwing rocks, petrol bombs and fireworks.

RAI state TV said that "In the northern city of Turin, some demonstrators broke off from a peaceful protest, smashing store windows on an elegant shopping street, setting smoke bombs and hurling bottles at police in the main city square where the Piedmont regional government is headquartered."

ANSA news agency reported that "28 people are being detained in Milan; three police officers were injured amid the clashes in the two cities."

The protests began shortly after the national government's order took effect requiring bars, cafes and restaurants to close their doors at 6 p.m. for the next 30 days as Italy tries to avoid the resurgence of coronavirus infections in recent weeks.

The shutdown was announced Sunday, a day after Italy registered more than a half-million confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic's outbreak.