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'It's all very quiet': Aussie TV host stuck in Italy lockdown

Australian TV host Kate Langbroek has described what it’s like being stuck in Italy, which has just enforced a country-wide lockdown in an attempt to cease the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Langbroek, who is staying in Bologna with her family, told The Project on Tuesday night about the moment they learned of the tighter travel restrictions put in place by prime minister Giuseppe Conte.

The move was in response to rising deaths due to COVID-19, which climbed by 97 overnight and now sits at 463 in total for the country.

While the figures have struck concern among policy makers in the country, and those watching the crisis unfold from afar, Langbroek said the reality of living in the northern Italian town was actually nothing to panic about.

Kate Langbroek said living in Bologna was not as dramatic as people thought. Source: Twitter/theprojecttv
Kate Langbroek said living in Bologna was not as dramatic as people thought. Source: Twitter/theprojecttv

“You can leave the house. Outside the supermarket’s normal, the market’s normal, it’s all very quiet, there’s food on the shelves, there’s no one panicking,” she told the program.

“I still haven’t seen anyone, except tourists, wearing masks.”

She explained one of the most dramatic altercations she experienced was a heated discussion between two mums in an online chat for other parents homeschooling their children.

“It’s a pressure situation, and aside from anything else, we’re home with our freaking kids all day. If we get coronavirus, could anything be worse?,” she expressed in a sarcastic manner.

Langbroek added the family were well-placed in a location close to a “hospital hub” where, if they were to become ill, they would have access to the “brilliant health services” Italy has to offer.

“You just have to have faith in the systems, which is not always easy to do in Italy, because they’re also renowned for having complicated bureaucracy. But they’re very educated, civilised, decent, warm, clever people

Carrie Bickmore quizzed Langbroek about living in Italy during the outbreak. Source: Twitter/theprojecttv
Carrie Bickmore quizzed Langbroek about living in Italy during the outbreak. Source: Twitter/theprojecttv
Langbroek aid the only people wearing face masks were tourists. Source: Getty Images
Langbroek aid the only people wearing face masks were tourists. Source: Getty Images

“They’re not stockpiling toilet paper,” she added, in a swipe at the panic buying of the bathroom essential currently unfolding in Australia.

Frenzied supermarket shoppers have been clearing shelves of toilet paper and other items including hand sanitiser, rice and pasta, as confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across Australia.

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