LAST week former Peebles resident Nadia Wong gave us an insight into life under lockdown in Italy, the European nation worst-hit by the pandemic. Now, speaking again to reporter Hilary Scott, she provides an update on conditions – and advises us to respect the limited freedoms we enjoy in the UK.

The COVID reaper is moving closer to Nadia’s home in Terzo Di Aquileia, near Venice.

“Things are getting tenser because we are hearing of more cases of people nearby that are losing their lives due to coronavirus. But the truth is that because we are all locked up in our own homes, we do not know what's really going on outside. We do not really know how people are feeling,” said Nadia.

Yet the fear is tangible, she says, as police conduct their daily patrols and warn people through a loudspeaker to stay at home.

Italians are not allowed to venture outdoors unless it's essential – meaning even exercise is prohibited.

“I went to the supermarket in my village the other day and there was such tension in the air. People with their heads down frightened to even make eye contact. It's surreal,” said Nadia.

“When we were permitted to go for walks, we would smile at other people out walking, but now nobody seems to want to look up. It’s like they are hiding themselves. They rush out to get their supplies and run back home in fear of being stopped and questioned about why they are out.”

The personality traits that Italians are well known for have been suppressed. Gesturing comes naturally to them, and when they chat, their hands and fingers do the talking.

However, life in Italy has changed. Nadia explained: “It's heartbreaking to see the lack of love and human contact, things we take for granted. Especially here in Italy where love flows so freely among the people.”

Concerned that the UK could find themselves with stricter lockdown rules, Nadia shared her worries. “When I speak to my UK friends and see on social media that in the UK you're still able to go outside and enjoy open space and go for walks, I'm concerned that if it's over-abused then you too will have to go into full lockdown and be trapped in your houses like we are here in northern Italy.

“At this point if we could simply go for walks, life would be so much better for us and we'd be less on edge.”

As for normality resuming, it’s feared that the aftermath of COVID-19 will have a devastating impact on the economy.

“The frustration is starting to kick in with business owners and concern of when and how this is all going to end. They are concerned that when things do start to open up, will people be too frightened to go out? If bars and restaurants were to open up again, would we want go? At what point does life get back to normal?”

Thoughts soon turn to the heartache of people losing loved ones. “They have to suffer in solitude. They don't have their friends and family there to put their arms around them and tell them that they are there for them.”

Nadia is now using her skills as a life coach to reach out to people in the UK. “During these times of crisis we have to pull together and do what we can to help each other so I'm offering some free time to take a few online group calls for people in the UK so I can play my part too.

“I believe the more we serve others, the more we are able to deal with this situation with love and hope, to get through this together.”