AN OSWESTRY man living in Italy believes staying cautious and taking the situation seriously is a must in the UK as the country continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ben Hughes, who lives in Sardinia, has been in Italy for the duration of the virus outbreak.

The country was at one point the European epicentre of the outbreak, before the number of deaths in the UK surpassed the total number of deaths there.

Stringent lockdown rules during the virus meant people like Ben living in the country were only allowed to exercise within 200 metres of their homes, and could only go further away from their home for shopping.

Sardinia was one of eight Italian regions to report no new cases of the virus last week, but Ben insists locals are continuing to take the situation very seriously, and advises people living in the UK to take a similar approach.

He said: “With us being a few weeks ahead here, I feel like we were the benchmark, and I had people checking in with me a lot from home to see what the next step might be.

“The response over in the UK has been much, much different I think in terms of how people have taken it.

“From what I understand through speaking to family and friends, general feedback was that people didn’t seem to be taking it too seriously.

“And I think that could possibly be due to the fact the rules weren’t strict enough, and possibly not clear enough at times in terms of what people should do or must do.

“It seems as though it wasn’t exactly clear at times, and I’ve seen the pictures of what looks like thousands of people flocking to beaches in the UK – beaches are open here too but no-one’s going to them because they’re wary.

“From my point of view, I have friends and family working for the NHS and in the care sector, and I hear what they do and what they’re going through, and it sounds like a nightmare.

“I think people should take a step back and look at the numbers, and realise they’re not just numbers, those are people who have died, and that could be someone close to you in the near future, as harsh as it may sound.

“I think people should definitely take it more seriously if they’re not already.

“People can still get out and enjoy the nice weather at this time of year – Oswestry is surrounded by beautiful countryside, go for a walk there rather than going to the park which could be busy.

“If you want space, it’s there.”

Ben was set to start a new job earlier in March, but his start date coincided with lockdown measures being put in place, meaning he has been working from home since.

Measures are still in place to protect those living in Italy, with restrictions on the number of people allowed in supermarkets remaining, and masks and gloves having to be worn.

Ben believes people in the country are not having to be pushed to take their own precautions however, and thinks their attitude towards the virus is helping to largely improve the situation.

He added: “They’re staying cautious here, and I personally feel that is a good thing.

“We’re seeing a vast improvement, and even though life is changing, I’m just glad to be out and about a little bit.

“If it means taking it more seriously for the remainder of the year or whatever, so be it, as long as it hopefully doesn’t come back.

“I think people here have been very good at following the rules that were set out.

“People are wearing gloves and masks off their own back here now when they don’t have to, so I think people are being extra cautious because they want to eliminate the risk wherever possible.

“It is still very quiet compared to how it was before the outbreak. Even though we’re allowed to now, people are taking it into their own hands to avoid doing some things we can officially do.

“My girlfriend was invited out for a drink at a bar yesterday where social distancing measures are in place, but she decided against it for now because she just didn’t want to take the risk.”