Italy has been one of the hardest hit Covid-19 countries in the world.
As of 23rd April 2020, the country has seen over 187,000 Coronavirus cases with the death tally reaching over 25,000.
This has spurred the Italian government to implement strict measures to deal with the pandemic, including a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.
The lockdown has had rippling effects on Italian society as we see the country enter a phase never seen before in its modern time.
From the empty Piazza del Duomo outside the Milan Cathedral to the eerie still waters of the canals of Venice, the following photos highlight the devasting effects of the lockdown has had on Italy.
The famed Trevi Fountain, a tourist hotspot as well as for locals to gather, is closed off to the public – a sight you never imagined seeing just a few months back.
Photo by Mick de Paola on Unsplash
Piazza del Duomo in downtown Milan is deserted; the plaza grounds normally a hotbed for tourists looking to catch a glimpse and visit the exquisite Milan Cathedral.
Photo by Fabio Mangione on Unsplash
The colourful city of Burano is a little less vibrant these days with its rivers and streets free of people.
Photo by Jace & Afsoon on Unsplash
Gone are the gondolas that gently meander the Venice canals; the waters of Venice are eerily still these days.
Piazza di Spagna is one place that is usually bustling throughout the entire year. One of the most famous squares in all of Italy, it too, however, has been quiet and empty since the implementation of the lockdown.
Hopefully the situation in Italy improves soon, and the streets can go back to the bustling state they usually are. Until then, it may be another month or two before we see more life in the streets.
