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Italy is among the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak, due in large part to its ageing population.

Over the past month, we’ve seen harrowing video footage and photographs of the inside of hospitals, empty streets, and terrified citizens.

Documentary photographer Alex Majoli really captured the gravity of the situation in a series of shots taken in Sicily.

Now, Italy has joined France and Spain as one of the European countries with the lowest recorded daily death toll for weeks, as they prepare to lower lockdown restrictions.

Their current situation looks somewhat similar to our own alert level 4. Italians will be able to exercise as long as they maintain physical distancing protocols. Some shops will resume business, but bars, restaurants, and industries that encourage mass gatherings will remain closed until June, when people may be allowed to sit at tables outside restaurants.

They will also be able to visit relatives (but not friends) within their region.

While the threat of the pandemic is slowly declining, the after-effects are starting to show.

The BBC reports:

As Italy begins to ease its lockdown measures, residents in some of Naples’ poorest neighbourhoods share their stories of how the global pandemic has left scars on their city.

The shutdown has left deep wounds in a country with already serious economic problems.

The people of Naples spoke to the BBC about how their lives have changed:

The situation in Naples is a stark reminder to other countries plagued by extreme economic inequality, such as our own, to get it together in order to assist those who need it most.

If we don’t, the fallout could be devastating.

[source:bbc]