After almost three months of closure due to quarantine measures, only about 300 people booked a tour of the Roman Colosseum on June 1, the first day of resuming visits to this most popular ancient Roman structure in Italy, AFP reported.
In normal times, the Flavian amphitheater, which is almost 2,000 years old and listed as a world heritage site, is visited by about 20,000 tourists every day. 70% among them come from abroad.
The iconic monument of Ancient Rome in the heart of the Eternal city will be open to the public under strict conditions: tourists and staff must observe proper sanitary protection (wearing masks and measuring temperature), changes to the order and schedule of visits to avoid pandemonium must be made.
Previously in Italy almost all the famous historical monuments and architectural structures were reopened to the public: the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, St. Peter's Cathedral, the Borghese gallery and Capitoline museums in Rome, the cathedrals of Florence and Milan.
The Vatican museums, another peak of world tourism, were also reopened on June 1.
Since June 3, Italy, where the victims of COVID-19 were more than 32,000 people, reopens its borders to foreign citizens.