Public transport seen as major culprit for Italy coronavirus surge

Passengers wearing protective face masks travel on a subway train as Italy adopts new restrictions aimed at curbing a surge in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections, in Rome, Italy October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) - Public transport in Italy is increasingly seen by experts and policymakers as one of the places where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is highest, as the government grapples with a surge in cases.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte issued new restrictions on bars, schools and restaurants but critics say crowded buses and metros in the rush hour are a greater threat.