Before Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte outlined the contours of "Phase 2, the Premier of Calabria, Jole Santelli, authorised the opening of bars and restaurants throughout the region and granted citizens some freedom of movement, also allowing the return to the South of many residents stranded in the North for weeks.
A gradual return to normality justified in part with the data: if in Lombardy the victims of COVID-19 were more than 14 thousand, in Calabria the death toll was of just over 300. And in general the South was marginally affected by the coronavirus, so much so that in Molise and Basilicatathere have been no new cases for a week.
Un presidio medico a Corigliano-Rossano, in Calabria Source: Alfonso Di Vincenzo/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images
Yet, even partially justified by comforting numbers, the order risks turning into a political boomerang for the Santelli administration. Some Calabrian mayors have declared the measure inadmissible and have opposed the reopening of bars and restaurants. Meanwhile, the Conte government has appealed to the TAR, the regional administrative court.
Un'immagine del lungomare di Locri durante il lockdown Source: Gianluca Chininea - AFP via Getty Images
In this regard, the way in which the ordinance will be implemented by citizens will be crucial. In Calabria an understandable desire to resume a normal life will prevail - and people will pour into the street taking advantage of this freedom? Or will the fear of risk prevail? We asked SKY correspondent from Crotone, Bruno Palermo.
