Max Civili
Press TV, Rome
On Sunday, children, parents and teachers joined anti-government sit-ins held in tens of cities from north to south of Italy. Protesters called on the Mario Draghi administration for an immediate reopening of schools.
The number of demonstrators at each venue was limited due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. Most schools have been closed in Italy in an attempt to curb coronavirus infections.
Italy has been the country that closed its schools longer than any other country in Europe with the vast majority of students forced to study online. Parents complain that kids and teenagers are showing growing symptoms of depression and anxiety due to isolation and disruption during school closures.
Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi has ramped up efforts to control the virus as Italian hospitals grapple with a surge in COVID-19 infections and fatalities. Draghi has pledged that after delays and cancellations, the vaccine campaign would be accelerated.
Italy has registered over 105,000 deaths linked to COVID-19 since the outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the seventh-highest in the world.
Most of the country is back in lockdown from Monday March 15, but the Draghi’s government hopes its updated coronavirus vaccine plan will make this one the last.