All of Italy in complete lockdown now!

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1]

On news a short while ago - I guess it was only a matter of time before this happened.

I wonder if Italy is just the first European country to get this and other countries will follow.

Foreign office now advises essential travel only to whole of Italy so holidays can be cancelled and claim on insurance.

any idea on how far ahead this travel advice goes? We are booked for Italy at the end of May.

If it's true that up to 80% of the population will catch it, and if it's true that most will have nothing but a mild illness, and if it's true that most of the others will recover, and if it's true that having recovered, you will have immunity; then a time will come when most people have recovered and are immune; after which I suppose we can say it has run its course and stop panicking.

How long will that take? A few months? A year? Maybe in about a year there will be a vaccine and some treatment, so the developed world need not be afraid.

@Hollyhobbi I have close family in Ireland, in the south and they are quite worried. The HSE has been very vague, not saying how many tests have been done, giving no idea as to location, several hospital workers have been exposed to patients who they seemed to take a long time to test.

In Cork they had to tell 60 healthcare staff a few days ago to self isolate as they’d been in contact with a patient in A&E who after a few days was found to have coved-19. And through community transmission, for how long they’ve no idea. And now they’ve got those healthcare workers to come back from self isolation after only a few days! I’m glad that they’ve stopped the parades, but am worried about the healthcare systems and monitoring.

Bump - what busymummy asked.

@PigletJohn yes but if that is true then 10-15% of the 80% of the population - will have been in critical care... that is a huge. We wouldn’t have the beds. All those people off work too or unable to parent. I do not think it will be 80%, however, but worth thinking of the ones who will get it worse and preparing for that.

Apparently someone on another thread yesterday afternoon said Italy had fewer cases than us a fortnight ago! This is really scary. And as for the Italians not following the rules. Not sure the Brits will either.

@Freezingold

I'm not sure that it is 15% x 80% that need critical care.

Even if they do, they will be triaged (rationed) because we do not have the resources to provide.

If we wanted to be a country that had good public services, we wouldn't keep voting for a government that doesn't. Public services need public spending, not tax cuts.

There are still flights, as we speak, arriving and departing Rome for example. According to reports, the lockdown is 'within' Italy.

Bars should not be open

They are only open during the day presumably so workers can eat.

This is one time that I'm glad we're an island. Much easier to manage borders.

Easy or not, we're not doing it - it's still a free for all at ports and airports. Crazy!

Foreign office now advises essential travel only to whole of Italy so holidays can be cancelled and claim on insurance.

About bloody time too!

Yup bars and restaurants open from 6am to 6pm. Shops and supermarkets may have to limit number of people inside at any one time. Potential fines for people being out and about/travelling for non-essential purposes - really only work and medical appointments and food shopping.

@JamesBlonde1 checked my travel insurance policy and it doesn't cover it, I suspect lots of other people will be in the same boat. To be honest I'm furious that the airlines aren't cancelling flights and refunding but there's no sign of that happening.

Utterly ridiculous if insurers are not paying out in this situation with only essential travel advised

My friend messaged me. She's in hospital in Italy with appendicitis. She thought, like me, a lot of panic over nothing surely but now she's scared. Hospital staff covered head to foot in Hazmat clothing, hospital only taking in emergency cases other than Corona Virus. She says it's unreal in there and thinks this a lot more serious than is being let on.

@TiddyTid as lots of us have been trying to say for weeks now and getting flamed for being fearmongers .
It’ll take hazmat suits and admissions of CV patients only to happen in the UK before people take note unfortunately, and by that time it’s too late.

Also She says it's unreal in there and thinks this a lot more serious than is being let on

Who’s not letting on it’s serious exactly? The media and lots of people on social media have been sounding the alarm. Its the “its just flu” and “a lot of panic about nothing” people who aren’t taking it seriously.

I hope your friend gets the treatment she needs. I also hope she manages to get home from Italy, and without this horrific virus.

She's on antibiotics - they want to avoid operating. She actually lives in Spain and yes, just wants to get out of there.

I think our government need to do what Italy are doing. Feels like drip feeding us and prepare to not cause panic? They know.

My in-laws are in Sicily and it is definitely a proper lock down. No more than 2 people at a time in the coffee bars, no more than 10 in grocery shops, and people have been arrested for trying to leave the town. Even funerals are cancelled, and the Sicilians really love a funeral! The priests are going to the deseased's house (the tradition is that the body is kept at home and buried the day after death) to do the blessing with immediate family only, then straight to the graveyard. This is getting very real now, but honestly DH and I are glad as it should stop the virus spreading and keep his parents safe.

@TiddyTid your poor friend, must be really scary. I hope she manages to get home ok but who knows how long that will take?

@Pinkywoo gosh that is proper lockdown. Hope it can help to avoid the virus spreading and hope your in-laws are ok. I feel sorry who have weddings or other celebrations planned.

I am in North Italy and the mood has really changed since the weekend. Everyone is much stricter about staying at home and not getting too close to each other. I walked past the cleaner who cleans the entrance to our flats and she literally jumped back to give me more room!

I just spoke with a colleague who is 'locked down' in Northern Italy. They told me that they are not allowed to leave their home without 'extremely important motivations'.

Yes, like work or shopping, or having a bit of fresh air.
It is awful and we are all stressed, but the dramatics and constant posting of fake news, dodgy links and "expert" commentary isn't helping anyone.

Seventy, I just got back from the supermarket, like Christmas Eve it was, but obvs with everyone waving across the two metres.
Most had about 3 trolleys full.