Residents relieved as Italy begins lifting lockdown

Italian residents of Pescara have told SBS News of their relief as the government begins easing coronavirus lockdowns.

The Italian government announced a gradual lifting of the lockdown restrictions that were implemented to stem the widespread of the coronavirus. Source: ANSA

After two months of lockdowns stretching across the nation, Italy is poised to finally start easing restrictions on Monday. 

While residents are relieved, businesses fear the restart process will be long and difficult.  

For mother of two and yoga teacher Nathalie Sissa, the last two months have been a period of ups and downs.

“At the middle of it, it was very, very hard emotionally and I was thinking when are we going to get out of it, but now we are looking forward to Monday,” she told SBS News.

Italian residents have told of their relief as the government begins easing coronavirus restrictions. Source: SBS News

While her daughter Aurora was also looking forward to the easing of restrictions.

“I want to see my best friends and we play dolls,” Aurora said.

Working from home and home schooling has been a delicate balance during the lockdown period.

“We’ve been moving our hours to late at night or very early in the morning,” Ms Sissa said.

From Monday, Italy will move to the second stage of its coronavirus exit plan. 

Parks will reopen and outdoor exercise will be allowed and relatives can reunite in small groups.

“It’s a sigh of relief because almost 60 days with the city closed like a ghost town, it has been very difficult,” Pescara Mayor Carlo Masci said.

Phase two will also see major sectors of the economy restart, like construction and manufacturing.

But other businesses like hairdressers, restaurants and beach clubs must wait until June.  

The big question is how will social distancing work during the Italian summer, where the beach in Pescara alone usually has 80 umbrellas that can cater for 1,000 people.

Beach club owner Luca Cardano said it’s still not clear what the new measures will be.

Beach club owner Luca Cardano said there is still a lot of uncertainty. Source: SBS News

“I have no guidelines I have no idea how I can manage my work, we will be in a lot of difficulty,” she said.

Tourism will be another sector slow to restart, as travel between regions is still banned.

“It will never be like before, and I think that it will continue like this for at least a year,” hotel manager Lino Perfetti said.

The government has been criticised for its conservative approach to stage two. 

But those who’ve suffered the most in this crisis believe caution is key.  

It’s hoped the country is now better prepared as it starts the path to recovery.

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