Little by little, tourists return to Rome ...
... but very little by little.
In one month, the Vatican Museums have received as many visits during their first month as in two and a half days before the coronavirus outbreak.
In other words, 66,000 visitors.
In the past, between 23,000 to 24,000 people entered daily.
Among recent visitors, the former captain of the Roma soccer team, Daniele De Rossi, is encouraging others to visit the museums.
'Especially to the Romans, come, come.'
The positive part is that, of every 100 new visitors, 37 are between 15 and 26 years old.
It is now mandatory to reserve tickets before arrival. In addition, you must use masks, disinfectant gel and take care of the interpersonal distance.
But it is worth it, to be able to enjoy its expressive Roman sculptures, the wonderful works of Raphael or the imposing frescoes by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
The coronavirus forced these places to close from March 9 to June 3, that is, two months and 22 days.
Keeping them open, now, with almost no visits, is undoubtedly expensive at the Vatican.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Translation: KM