2 anti-mask protests held in Rome despite surge in new infections

ROME – Rome is the site of two anti-mask protests, even as Italy undergoes a resurgence of coronavirus infections.

The Italian Health Ministry reports another 5,724 cases in the last 24 hours and 29 deaths. Most cases are asymptomatic and determined through increased testing — more than 133,000 in the period.

Protesters at one of the demonstrations complain about measures they call harsh, including a new order for all Italians to wear masks outdoors or face fines of up to 1,000 euros ($1,200). Most of the new cases are in Lombardy in the north, which tallied 1,140 new infections, followed by Campania, which includes Naples, and Veneto.

In front of the Duomo Cathedral In Milan, entertainment workers protest against the government’s economic policies to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Italy has reached totals of nearly 350,000 confirmed cases and 36,140 deaths.

— AP

Entertainment workers protest against the Italian government’s economic policies to combat the spread of COVID-19, in front of Milan’s Duomo Cathedral, Italy, Saturday, Oct 10, 2020. (Claudio Furlan/Lapresse via AP)