ITALY’S historic capital and one of the world’s greatest and most visited cities is in lockdown. The streets are empty. The metro deserted. Locals are desperately looking for clarity on the new rules announced on Monday night by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. And the few tourists left are looking for a way to make it back home, with several airlines announcing cancellations.

Coronavirus is sending shockwaves across the globe. As an Italian citizen and someone with elderly parents in Italy, I knew disruption was likely. But my partner and I did not predict the escalation and drastic measures.

The majority of reported cases were concentrated in the Po Valley – Italy’s economic heartland. Rome and the Lazio region, on the other hand, reported around 60 cases on Sunday. Indeed, Lazio managed to contain its fewer reported cases – all which could be traced to the northern towns in Lombardy and Veneto. So what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, Italy suffered a severe lack of leadership – both in science and politics, with experts disagreeing publicly about the seriousness of the virus, partly to avoid alarmism. These public disagreements and statements that downplayed the seriousness of the virus were fatal.

On Monday night walking back to the apartment, the notification: the “lockdown” was to be extended to the entire country. What did this mean?

Conte provided no clarity on what it meant in practice. We had to wait until yesterday morning and research the situation ourselves. You can leave the house only for emergencies but restaurants and bars are open until 6pm and public transport is running as normal. That in itself is confusing, if not contradictory.

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You’re free to go to the supermarket. And according to some newspapers it’s absolutely fine to leave the house so long as you’re not congregating and you keep your distance. But you also need a certificate that spells out the reasons for venturing outdoors.

In times of crisis a country needs unity, clarity and coherence. And it requires all of us to pull our weight. Since arriving in Rome we’ve washed our hands repeatedly, perhaps obsessively. We’ve done our best to stand one metre away from each other. And we’ve avoided crowded spaces.

The Italian government is trying to send the strongest possible message that for the country to get through this crisis, everyone must co-operate. An array of celebrities are now posting on Instagram and Twitter encouraging young people to stay home: #IoRestoACasa

As much as it may seem romantic to be quarantined in Rome with a stunning view of the Roman Forum, this has been an exhausting experience. Our flights home for Saturday were cancelled and have been rescheduled for today so here’s hoping we make it home. On return, my partner, who is an NHS doctor, and I, will both have to self-isolate.

Italy’s experience should be a lesson for all of Europe and the EU should respond collectively.

The virus can be contained if we embrace prevention and comply with scientific guidance. The UK’s “keep calm and carry on” attitude to this virus is worrying. If there’s no reason for offices to be open then they shouldn’t be. Conferences in the coming weeks should be postponed. Our elderly protected. Our public spaces sanitised. Limiting the spread of this virus requires this public health approach. Not alarmism or anxiety-provoking headlines, but scientific advice and common sense. With every one of us making these small changes we can save lives.