Covid 2020: Italy's much-loved landmarks fall into silence

In March 2020, Italy found itself at the center of a significant crisis as the Covid-19 pandemic began to spread rapidly. This marked the first major outbreak of the virus outside of Asia. The situation escalated quickly after the first cases were reported in late January when individuals tested positive for Covid-19. In response, the Italian government took immediate action by halting all flights to China and declaring a state of emergency. However, the virus had already begun to spread, particularly in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto. As the number of cases surged, local lockdowns were implemented, and soon, Covid-19 was reported in every region of the country. On March 9, the Italian authorities announced that all sporting events would be suspended, and by the end of that day, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte informed the public that strict local restrictions would be enforced. Almost all businesses, except for supermarkets and pharmacies, were ordered to close their doors, and Italy was placed under a nationwide lockdown. The transition from normal life to lockdown was remarkably swift, as described by Italian photojournalist Laura Lezza. During a Zoom call from her home, she shared a photocopy of the front page of the national newspaper La Repubblica, which boldly stated, 'Tutti a casa! ' meaning 'Everyone stay home! ' Laura explained that Italy, being the first Western nation to face a major outbreak of Covid-19, had to adapt quickly to the changing circumstances. She recalled the morning of March 10, the first day of lockdown, when she and her husband ventured out to see what the world looked like. The streets were eerily quiet, with only a few people out for work. Laura was struck by the sight of a supermarket where people were lined up in a chessboard pattern, maintaining a two-meter distance from one another. By 6 PM that evening, even cafes were ordered to close, and the first lockdown would last for the next two months. As a photographer for Getty Images, Laura was allowed to go outside, but she had to carry proof of her travel permission. Police and carabinieri patrolled the streets to enforce the lockdown and prevent unauthorized movements. The iconic tourist sites that usually attracted millions of visitors were suddenly deserted. One of Laura's photographs captured a sanitation worker in a full protective suit cleaning the area around the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The worker resembled a character from a disaster movie, wielding a sprayer in front of the famous landmark, which was now isolated in an empty plaza. The only other figures visible in the background were police officers. The absence of tourists, who are a regular part of Italian life, was striking. Laura read aloud from a press release issued by the mayor of Pisa, which outlined the public sanitation program. The local authorities detailed the areas that would be cleaned, the number of teams involved, and assured the public that the disinfectants used would be safe for both people and pets. The mayor emphasized the importance of daily cleaning, especially in areas with high foot traffic. Laura noted that even districts far from the usual tourist crowds were included in the sanitation efforts. She remarked on how the town hall in Pisa and other cities in Italy decided to sanitize the surfaces of everyday life. The pathway near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, known for being one of the busiest places in Italy, was also targeted for cleaning, as it could potentially harbor the virus. Laura vividly remembered the sanitation workers dressed in all white, covering their faces and hands completely. She found it challenging to take pictures of people during this time because they were afraid of getting too close. However, as the days went by, the atmosphere began to lighten, even amidst the ongoing deaths and anxiety in Italy. The sanitation team members became less stressed and more comfortable with Laura's presence. Laura contrasted this experience with a few weeks earlier when she had covered a carnival in a nearby town. At that time, Covid-19 was still a concern, but life felt more normal. She recalled seeing taxi drivers wearing masks for the first time. Italy had transitioned from a sense of calm to a full-blown pandemic in just a matter of weeks. A few nights after the first death in Italy, Laura captured images of passionate football fans during a local derby. They were gathered together, watching the match on television, and at the end, they asked her to take their picture. She reflected on that moment, thinking, 'That was my last picture of people hugging each other.