Venice, which was spared during the lockdown, has returned to tourist arrivals. No kidding, to prevent crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still endemic, they have also deployed armed guards. Quiet streets, deserted canals and empty bridges became a common sight as Venice battled the plague.
At the same time, the situation has sparked tourists to visit the water city in Italy after the lockdown is over. The tourist seemed to waste no time in realizing his desire to have a vacation in Venice. In fact, after the tourist doors opened again in Venice, they came back to Venice.
On weekends and holidays, the line to and from Venice's popular destinations can run into the hundreds. This week, at least 80,000 visitors per day flooded the city of 50,000 inhabitants. The queues were a problem because the pandemic wasn't quite over this summer. Venice itself is in the COVID-19 white zone.
Therefore, the Venetians sent down armed guards to keep out the crowd. Since late June, guards have been stationed at the main vaporetto stops when the number of tourists is at its highest. Seeing this, the legal representative for Venice of the Sindacato Generale trade union in Base, Danilo Scattolin gave his comments.
"Passengers vented their frustration on staff," he said.
"Some of the workers have been physically assaulted. Some have spat, insulted, even punched," he continued.
In fact, the officers who guarded Venice were not required to carry weapons, but those who had permanent licenses to carry them.
"It's really disturbing to see people walking around with guns," said Caroline Jones, one of the residents.
"But having guards might be a good idea when there are too many people angry about too little space on board."