“We asked citizens to make sacrifices, to remain closed at home, we closed the businesses; they closed the bars if by chance there were three people without a mask and then we discover that in a state structure they do what they want and anything can happen ». The mayor of Treviso, Mario Conte, is furious. While he is speaking to us, a stone-throwing guerrilla of migrants from the former Serena barracks in Treviso is underway against the police. Asylum seekers take it out on men in uniform because they don’t want to know about quarantining. In that “welcome” center they are almost all positive. From two to 157. Now they amount to 260. Two hundred and sixty out of 300 guests. The mayor is bewildered, as well as worried about his citizens and has decided to seek damages from the state. «I have given a mandate to the State Attorney – he explains in an interview with the Giornale – to study the practice so that damages are requested. For us it is a big damage. For a long time we have asked our citizens to make sacrifices and now we find ourselves with a structure managed by the state and the prefecture where anything can happen inside ».
A barracks opened in 2015. How is the situation in there these days?
«I can’t go in, they won’t let us do the checks. The situation is very tense. And the cooperative that manages the center cannot keep the positives divided from the negatives ».
But is there a place to divide them?
«Yes, it would be enough to move them from the building. Positive on one side and negative on the other, but guests don’t want to. We all have to submit to the whims of these people. “
Some who were negativized have been moved to another facility.
“Yes, they transferred the first five negativized. But it is a continuous transport of these people here and there with a crescendo of fear on the part of the population who does not want to contract the virus ».
Can’t that barracks be closed?
“I’m for dismantling. Salvini had begun an emptying process. Now we are caught like this, with these people doing what they want. Salvini had come to see the situation, these days I have not seen a presence that was one from the minister Lamorgese ».
Didn’t he even call her?
“No, if you don’t want to call the mayor, at least call out of solidarity those doctors with whom the migrants have been angry these days. Our health company is making a huge effort to try to swab all of them in record time and these people are angry with the police, with the doctors. The conclusion is that the only ones who call and call me – he smiles – are the national TVs, the journalists. You understand what damage we can have ».
Have you had any cancellations in tourism?
«Lots of cancellations, people are afraid. I have dealt with trade associations and we certainly receive damage from this wave of infections ».
Damage to the image.
“And the economy. The responsibility certainly does not lie with the municipal administration, it is a structure managed by a cooperative that won the prefecture’s contract. And there the responsibility lies with the state ».
Have you tried talking to the property manager?
“It’s all about letting go of responsibility.”
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