Fearful but impatient, Italy edges toward end of lockdown

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Children wearing protective face masks play football in front of their building in Rome's neighbourhood of San Basilio on April 18, 2020, during the country's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) — AFP or licensors
Children wearing protective face masks play football in front of their building in Rome's neighbourhood of San Basilio on April 18, 2020, during the country's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) — AFP or licensors

Italians debated Sunday their first cautious steps out of a coronavirus lockdown that has left an estimated half of the working population seeking government support, AFP reports.

The Mediterranean country has been filled with rumours and speculation about when people will finally be allowed to walk the streets freely for the first time since early March.

The balmy weather is not helping government efforts to keep everyone inside in the face of a disease that has officially killed 23,227 in Italy — second only to the United States.

Children wearing protective face masks play football in front of their building in Rome's neighbourhood of San Basilio on April 18, 2020, during the country's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. — AFP
Children wearing protective face masks play football in front of their building in Rome's neighbourhood of San Basilio on April 18, 2020, during the country's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. — AFP

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