The opening of a huge shopping center in Rome on Friday, which attracted thousands of people, sparked a polemic because it violated the sanitary regulations on social distancing. Mayor Virginia Raggi has been heavily criticized for approving the event during the pandemic.
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Maximo Shopping Center in Rome – 160 shops, bars, restaurants on 65,000 sq m /PAP / EPA
“The Romans forgot about the coronavirus and set out to conquer the shops” – emphasize the Italian media reporting what happened in the Laurentino district. The shopping center opened there has more than 150 stores and 40 bars and restaurants. Long lines have formed at some of the most popular clothing stores.
Huge crowds were arriving there from the very morning, and during the siege of shops, clusters of people were formed, forbidden in the full sanitary crisis.
– What happened there is a blow to public health – emphasize trade union activists. In their opinion, the desire to save the labor market does not justify leading to a situation of real danger.
Outrage was expressed by the consumer organization Codacons. “While citizens are being asked to make efforts and sacrifices to limit the spread of the virus, a shopping center is opening in Rome, creating clusters of people and potential risk situations,” said Carlo Rienzi, president of the association.
Both according to this organization and many local councilors, this is a serious mistake by Mayor Virginia Raggi, who agreed to open a shopping mall in the days of the culmination of the second wave of the pandemic.
