Happiness, controversy and fear as Italy's schools finally reopen

Students sit in a class during a lesson at the Liceo Isacco Newton high school for the first time since March, adhering to strict regulations to avoid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) contagion in Rome, Italy September 14, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

ROME (Reuters) - After a six-month shutdown, the longest in Europe, Italy reopened most of its schools on Monday, testing the organisational skills of the government, the nerves of teachers and the self-control of excited students.

Schools in 13 of the country's 20 regions cautiously resumed face-to-face lessons, calling back 5.6 million students to their desks. The remaining seven regions have decided to delay for another week.