It’s been already six months since the start of the Italian lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Althought the isolation has probably been the most necessary method to slow down the illness and allow hospitals to better manage their spaces and capacities, the consequences for commerce and tourism have been really serious. The tertiary sector is facing a powerful crisis, which is hitting all the Italian cities, including Venice.
First of all, let’s take a look at how the healthcare situation is generally going in Italy: as it stands today, cases of Coronavirus are certainly higher than the numbers of May or June. The average in these days is around 1500 cases per day, and the increase is worrying authorities, even if it seems like the situation is still under control. The tracking of infections, social distancing and the use of masks in public spaces are imperatives for Italy, right now.
But how’s the most beautiful city in the world? How’s Venice dealing with this situation? Let’s try to see what has changed.
When you reach the train station of Venezia Santa Lucia, you can see that every space is now divided. On the right is the enter, while you exit through the left doors. Stickers arrows are all over the floor to indicate which way you should follow, depending on you have to take trains, go to the shop or exit the station. And there you have it, Venice stands in front of you, more beautiful and… emptier than ever. There are not so many people in the city, it is now possible to spot local people from commuters, without the crowds of tourists going back and forward. The only people who come from abroad are isolated and easily identifiable. It is suggested to wear masks even before 6pm, althought it’s not exciplicitly compulsory, but in the tight calli it’s really hard to respect social distancing.
And how are students live this historical event? School started a week ago, and Venice is now full with children and young people from primaries, high schools and university. As for this one, Ca’ Foscari decided to adopt a “dual” way of teaching, online and in class. Since the spaces had been reduced, students have now either the possibility to follow lessons from home or reserve their place in the building to come to university phisically. Again, social distancing and masks are compulsory, and temperature is measured before entering the building.
Venice is trying to slowly adopt a new way of living. It is difficult for everyone, of course. The virus is still a threat, and it’s scary and dangerous. Venetian people, however, are trying to react, animated by the same sense of determination and power that is typical of who lives in this city, and that has been shown more than once (for example, when they dealt with the high water of the past November).
The only thing that is not changed is the beauty of Venice, which once again, surprises and astonishes with its shapes of colour, water’s glares, canals and enchanting landscapes.
We really hope this city will come back to normality as soon as possible, because, we assure you, it has so much more to offer.
