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_THIS IS OUR DEVELOPING STORY:__ Living in Italy amid lockdown & quarantine conditions, due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Notably, Italy has become the first country in the world to

introduce full lockdown and quarantine conditions. We have created this developing story to help our readers understand what they may expect should such a thing happen to them. If you or

someone you know is concerned about being quarantined, or locked-down in their own country, please share this story with them. We promise to try and not make it too gloomy. Rather, we will

be sure to point out the surprises as well._ _Background: On March 7, 2020, the Italian PM issued a lockdown decree, essentially forcing 16+ Million citizens into a forced quarantine. Then,

on March 10, 2020, the PM extended the lockdown to everyone in the country and created further restrictions on movement._ _We are Andrea and Rick, 2 Canadians currently living in Italy and

living amid this lockdown condition. Indeed, this is our live-story, so be sure to check back often for updates! And of course, do leave comments below!_ March 10, 2020 — After the Dust

Settled Here is our latest video: Indeed, there were many fewer people in this part of Italy today. Surely, it was because of the latest rule changes asking people to stay home. While we

didn’t see too many people wearing masks, there were a few. Notably, we were asked to remain 1 Meter away from practically everything and everyone. Naturally, this was to prevent the spread

of the covid-19 coronavirus here in Italy. We visited the market this morning. _AGAIN, WE ARE ALLOWED TO BUY GROCERIES! _Here are some photos of what we saw: Repubblica.it has finally

released a deciphered list of things we can / can’t do. For those who don’t speak Italian, the rules are clear. Everyone is to stay home as much as possible, unless it’s for something

necessary, like buying groceries or going to work. Additionally, those having a fever over 37.5C must stay home at all times. Interestingly Mortgage Payments, Utility Payments, and Taxes are

not required to be paid during this time. Some good news out China: they reported only 19 new cases yesterday in the entire country. And South Korea is looking up as well. Also, NewsTalk

1010 interviewed us today. It was nice to be able to share our story from here in Italy, to folks living in Toronto who might be concerned what it would be like to live in quarantine or

lockdown conditions due to the Covid-19 coronavirus. Thank you for this opportunity. Morning — All of Italy is now Locked down And Under Quarantine — Measures increased. Things got messy

real quick last night. At around 10 pm local time, the Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte announced further measures regarding the lockdown. Now, all of Italy is locked down and under

quarantine due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Further, as we understand it, we can only leave our home to go to work, buy food (in our local town), and then return home. It is unclear if we

are allowed to visit family, but we will see. As mentioned previously, my main concern is about the local economy. Indeed, this is going to be a challenging month for small businesses. But,

Italians are resilient and I have no doubt they will get through it. Time will tell. Everyone, so far, is still allowed to go to work. Factories are still running. This is good. Hopefully,

we can keep these factories running. A glimmer of _HOPE AND SOME GOOD NEWS_ is that China seems to continue on on its path of positivity in battling the Covid-19 coronavirus. Reuters is

reporting that Wuhan has now closed all its temporary hospitals. Indeed, the temporary hospitals got built at lightning speed about one month ago. In other news, we are being interviewed by

Newstalk 1010 in Toronto this morning. I guess our Twitter and Youtube accounts are attracting some additional attention. Indeed, we have a lot more time on our hands these days than usual.

So, we’re using the time to be productive. For those of you who are wondering, we will be buying some fruits and vegetables this morning. Then, off to Andrea’s parents’ home for lunch.

Hopefully, they won’t be too gloomy amid this whole situation. Last, we are happy to be able to continue to provide updates on what is happening here. Thank you all for keeping us company,

and sending us messages of support. It’s nice to know we aren’t alone in this big, big world. Indeed, we’re all in this together. March 9, 2020 Evening Entry So today was a pretty normal day

for us. In fact, if we didn’t listen to the radio, or watch the news, we would never know that our region in Italy was under quarantine or lockdown. We have, however, been getting lots of

comments from social media. Our Facebook Page and Twitter have been working overtime. Furthermore, on Youtube, we’ve been getting lots of views as well. What did we get up to today? As

mentioned previously, it was a pretty normal day. We visited Andrea’s parents (who are always happy to see us, especially now). Then, we made lunch and I went to Italian School. Andrea and

his mom went to do some food shopping. As you can see in the video, the food stores are completely full. I think the only thing lacking may be hand sanitizer. But, for us, it’s not a

problem. We wash our hands often. The World Health Organization suggests doing just that. Finally, no one thinks I’m crazy anymore for washing my hands 200 times a day!! After school, Andrea

and I visited his Aunt and Uncle for a quick visit. To be sure, this is all very common here in Italy. Indeed,_ family time is very important._ Morning Entry Wow. What an evening it was

yesterday. Indeed, we recorded our first video yesterday. We went to downtown Modena, ate gelato, kicked a soccer ball around, then returned home to start this post. Excitingly, once

published, people from all over the world started following us on Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and site. Also, our website started to explode. Thank heaven we are hosted on good servers.

Then, Good Morning America asked us to do an interview about what it’s like to live in quarantine and lockdown conditions here in Italy. Naturally, we granted it right away. After waking up

this morning, we watched the financial markets. Investors are freaking out a little. If you are invested, you might want to turn off that news for the time being. We will begin reporting the

latest cases here in Italy. Repubblica is reporting 1326 New covid-19 cases this morning here in Italy (6387 Cases total), and 622 recoveries thus far. As we understand it, the vast

majority of folks recover. Again, we are not afraid of Covid-19. To be sure, the CDC reports the high-risk group is those who are older, with underlying health conditions such as heart

disease, lung disease, or diabetes. We just need to keep a level head and think clearly, and as unemotionally as possible. Here is our latest video recorded this morning: March 8, 2020 Wow.

I woke up to 100’s of words of encouragement all over social media, thank you!!!! Also, I tried to find some articles that made any sense out of what I could and could not do. To be sure,

our area is supposed to be under quarantine. Unfortunately, I was unable to find much about where I can and cannot go in Italy during this COVID-19 / Coronavirus quarantine situation. I have

no idea. Here’s what I do know about being locked down. Areas in Italy Affected By the Quarantine & Lockdown According to Repubblica, The following provinces in Italy are affected by

the quarantine. Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro Urbino, Venezia, Padova, Treviso, Asti, Vercelli, Novara, Verbano Cusio Ossola, and Alessandria Until April 2, 2020,

all public schools, museums, churches are all closed. Also, restaurants must close at 6 pm. The point is, the government wants to limit the amount of human to human activity. I get it. But

at the same time, humans are social people. So, as it’s unnatural to be under quarantine, I understand why some choose to go outside. Andrea and went to take a look and see who was out and

about. Then, I drove to downtown Modena today to see if there were any differences. To be sure, we are not afraid of the virus. What we saw wasn’t the zombie apocalypse that some might

think. For example, I would say there was about a 30–40% reduction of people strolling the piazzas today. Also, the stores were, for the most part, closed. Also, many of the restaurants and

coffee bars w closed as well. But, for those brave restaurant owners who opened, they were all full. Yes, folks — people are still eating, drinking, and sharing laughs today. Also, we will

be publishing more videos regarding the lockdown and quarantine situation here in Italy through the next few days. This one is our first video in the series. March 7, 2020 — Lockdown and

Quarantine Announced in Italy Andrea and I were out with friends, and around 9 pm, the news leaked that our area, the Province of Modena, Italy (in the Emilia Romagna region), would be put

in quarantine. Some say its an Italian lockdown. Suddenly, I felt like I was in prison. I’ve never felt like that before. But, let’s get one thing straight. _I AM NOT SCARED_ of the COVID-19

Coronavirus. Indeed, I am freaked out about the panic the virus is creating in many. Here in Italy, the lockdown and quarantine is in effect, a giant travel restriction. Apparently, we will

not be able to travel outside our province until April 3, 2020. Its not the end of the world, or is it? We’ve already seen significant economic effects as a result of this fear. Indeed, I

think this might cause a global recession. And, I’m starting to see the damage right here in Italy. People have been emailing me regularly since mid-February asking whether or not they

should cancel their trip here. I’m not a doctor, but, while I’m not fearful of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, I accept the fact that it will spread. Indeed, I believe the virus has no borders. We

Won’t Fear this Lockdown in Italy For the foreseeable future, I will use this story to share what it’s like for Andrea and me to live here in Modena, Italy. I will make every attempt to be

impartial and keep a level head and provide facts and links in support. We will be living on lockdown and in quarantine here in Italy, but we’ll get through it. We’re not afraid. Rick &

Andrea