Reacting to the escalating number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, Italy has placed its entire 60 million population under tightened quarantine restrictions.
In a move to encourage what’s known as social distancing, cafes, restaurants, gyms, museums, schools and other institutions across the country have closed. All shops – except food stores and pharmacies – will close too.
And public gatherings like religious services and business, social and sporting events have been cancelled.
People are not supposed to enter or leave quarantined areas and only work-related internal movement is permitted.
With daily cases of COVID-19 soaring in the Chinese province of Hubei, strict restrictions were put in place to quarantine nearly 60 million people. People were confined to their homes, while buses, railways, ferries and flights stopped running and factories, offices and schools closed their doors.
COVID-19 can be transmitted when people with the virus cough or exhale, releasing tiny contaminated droplets into the air, which others can breathe in or pick up when their hands touch surfaces the droplets have landed on.
Placing people in quarantine reduces social contact to limit opportunities for transmission of a virus, helping to avoid a huge spike in cases that would overwhelm health services.
But living under lockdown for lengthy periods can take its toll on the people affected. Aside from fear of infection and boredom, studies show living in isolation can produce post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion and frustration. These feelings can be aggravated by inadequate supplies and financial loss.
To keep negative feelings to a minimum, it is important individuals are confined no longer than necessary and given a clear rationale for their quarantine. People also need regular information updates so they know what to do, as well as access to sufficient food and supplies.
To alleviate some of these concerns, Italy is encouraging internet companies and publishers to offer its quarantined population free services aimed at helping people work or study at home. Other offers on the government’s Digital Solidarity site include mobile phone companies offering additional data allowances and a major publisher giving away 50,000 free magazine subscriptions.
The original article was published on the website of World Economic Forum. Read Full Article here.