Coronavirus: Milan mayor hits out at crowds descending on popular streets as lockdown lifts

‘Sometimes there is reason to get annoyed, and this is one of those times,’ Giuseppe Sala says

Milan's mayor has condemned "shameful" crowds heading to a popular area of the city during Italy’s relaxed lockdown.

Images showed throngs of people wandering around Navigli – where bars and restaurants line the city’s canals – in the first week of the country’s eased measures.

“When there is reason to praise Milan’s residents for their good behaviour, I am the first to do so,” Giuseppe Sala, the mayor, said in an Instagram video on Friday.

“However, sometimes there is reason to get annoyed, and this is one of those times.”

“Yesterday’s photos from along Navigli are shameful,” he said. “It is also quite depressing for me to have to explain the situation again, but that’s my job.”

Mr Sala even threatened to close the popular canal streets and to put an end to cafe and restaurant take-away services – allowed under Italy’s new relaxed lockdown - if things did not quieten down immediately on Friday.

“Tonight I will send more officers,” he said, adding: “But this isn’t a game of cops and robbers.”

The mayor later posted a picture on Instagram showing himself down a quiet canal street, saying the situation was “better”.

The mayor of Milan threatened to shut Navigli if large numbers of people kept heading there during the relaxed lockdown (AP)

Italy eased its lockdown measures on Monday, with cafes and restaurants allowed to open for take-away service.

People are allowed to go outside for walks in Italy, however gatherings in public are banned and people must stay at least one metre away from each other.

Milan had more infections than anywhere else in Italy as the country entered its first weekend with relaxed lockdown measures.

More than 21,000 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the city’s province.

Italy entered a new phase of its coronavirus lockdown this week, allowing parks and public gardens to reopen for members of the public to go on socially-distanced walks or running.

Visiting a family member or partner has also been added to a list of reasons why people can go outside.

Around 217,00 people have contracted Covid-19 in Italy, while the death toll stood at 30,201 on Saturday.