Handful of masked revelers mark what should have been start of Venice carnival

Protective face masks were swapped for traditional ones in a muted start to the Venice Carnival on St. Mark's Square on Sunday (February 7).

About a dozen people in full costume stood together while social distancing in the city's famous square to celebrate their beloved tradition after events were canceled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

There was no music and no artist performances to delight revelers that usually line narrow alleys and bridges for the annual parade. Only the sound of the famous basilica's ringing bells filled the empty square on Sunday.

While much of Europe remains in strict lockdown, bars and restaurants in parts of Italy can again serve customers at tables and counters until 6 p.m. After that, it's take-away only until 10 p.m., when a curfew kicks until 5 a.m. the next day.

Italy was one of the worst-hit countries during the first wave of the pandemic and has Europe's second highest death toll from COVID-19, behind Britain. But cases and deaths have been falling, with 13,442 new cases and 385 coronavirus-related deaths reported on Saturday (February 6). — Reuters