Italy's opposition parties flout social distancing rules at rally in Rome

Italian right-wing leaders Antonio Tajani, Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, wearing protective masks with the Italian flag pose for a picture as they lead a protest against the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Rome, Italy, June 2, 2020. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

ROME (Reuters) - Italian opposition parties and hundreds of supporters defied social distancing rules on Tuesday to pack Rome's central streets in an anti-government protest rally.

With more than 233,000 confirmed cases, Italy is one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the government only recently decided to gradually lift draconian restrictions it had imposed in early March to rein in contagion.