“WE are all quarantined in our houses.”
Faizal Ali described life in Rome after the lockdown implemented by the Italian Government on March 3 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Ali, a former Fiji citizen, has been living in Rome with his wife, Nisha, and their two children since 2010.
He is one of 10 Fijians living in the Italian city.
“We are on full lockdown, 24 hours, no movement,” Mr Ali said in an email to this newspaper yesterday.
“Checks and controls are done frequently by police and if caught outside your house without valid reason and auto certificate, then you will be fined or imprisoned.
“Borders with other countries are also restricted.
“Auto certification is needed if anybody is leaving the house to do shopping (only supermarkets, food stores and pharmacies are open).
“Masks and hand gloves are worn by all going out of their houses, and a distance of one metre has to be maintained at all times between individuals.
“All schools are closed, my children are studying online with their school.
“Daily interactions with teachers and colleagues have moved to internet platforms such as Skype, Viber, WhatsApp et cetera.”
He said the Italian government had imposed the lockdown since March 3, and staying indoors had become the norm for them.
“We know other Fijians who are in Italy (two from Rakiraki, one from Labasa, one from Suva, one from Lautoka and five from Nadi — including us). It seems everybody is fine. We are praying for this period to be over soon.”
More than 21,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Italy, while more than 1400 people have succumbed to the deadly virus.
