Earthly Extinction Banned in Venice

Authorities in Venice have proposed banning people from landing or lying on the ground, while the city thus follows its efforts to prevent those whom some officials call rude tourists.

The proposed rule has been requested by Mayor Louis Bruganro and would have the violators fined between 50 and 500 euros if he starts implementing. Sitting on the steps of monuments or the porch surrounding St. Mark's Square is currently banned.

The proposal is expected to be put to the polls at the city council in October, even though it risks opposing other advisers from the five stars or groups of activists. There's a very long list of things banned in Venice that there's nothing left to do, says one activist, even 5,000 additional police officers would need to guarantee their respect.

Authorities are also considering the possibility of stopping music in boats, the primary means of transportation for residents. People can be stopped in the city or fined if they're drunk or if they swim or if they put their feet in the canals... if they eat anything on the stairs or while walking in the streets, they're doing likewise.

Venice has long been trying to manage a tourism industry that brings about 600,000 visitors a day and countless regulations, according to officials, do not deal with criminalising certain behaviors or groups, but with respect for the city.