After avoiding the worst in spring, Italy’s south sounds alarm over Covid

Densely populated Campania declared itself Covid-free in June, but concerns are mounting again

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In a characteristically stern but satirical video message last week, Vincenzo De Luca, the president of Campania, warned citizens in the southern Italian region that if the coronavirus infection rate continued to rise there would be another lockdown.

There is no third way," he said after announcing the mandatory wearing of face masks outside. Masks must be worn on the face, not on the elbow. If the alternative is between having people dying on the street or taking a pleasant stroll, there will be no doubt ... everything will close."