INTER MILAN star Ashley Young has given his insight on life under Italy’s lockdown from the coronavirus pandemic.
In a lengthy Twitter thread, the 34-year-old provided a series of practical tips to help fans stay safe while shopping for food in these tricky times.
Italy is now the hardest-hit nation by the pandemic, 6,820 dying with almost 70,000 cases confirmed, and Young provided his insight having moved to Milan from Manchester United in January.
He tweeted: “Hi everyone, just wanted to share my thoughts given I’m currently living in Italy, the epicentre of the virus.
“Realistically a supermarket is now your main risk at spreading this virus and even catching it. Speaking with family and friends at home it sounds like going to get food is just crazy. Remember, lockdown means lockdown!
“In Italy going to the supermarket is surprisingly calm… no fights over food, no stripped shelves and most certainly no abusing staff members for limiting food or any reason at all! And in almost every case it’s usually just one person shopping for a household!
“Please read the following and share this if you haven’t already, it really is time to do your bit to help tackle this awful global crisis we are in!”
On Monday, Inter reportedly ended the enforced quarantine of their squad members and will allow non-Italians to return home during the suspension of football across the continent.
And Young tweeted a series of tips for people to adhere to while food shopping amid scenes of panic-buying and empty shelves in certain countries, including the UK.
The defender wrote: “Queuing to go into a supermarket is standard, but not because it’s for stockpiling or greed.
“Supermarkets have limited the number of people entering at any time so it’s never over-crowded! So wait and be patient to go in if your supermarket is doing this.
“If you have to get in the lift only get in with one more person, two people per lift at one time. And stand on opposite sides of the lift and face the wall – don’t breathe outwards towards that stranger.
“Always use gloves from moment you get out of your car! You don’t want to touch trolleys that other hands have been on. Keep the gloves on until you are getting back in the car.
“Use a face mask or scarf to keep your nose and mouth covered.
“Always keep your distance at the till. Keep the trolley behind you when you unpack at the till as it stops people from being able to to get too close.
“Don’t unpack your shopping right on top of somebody else’s, make a gap between theirs and yours so none of your shopping touches theirs. Here we can’t put our groceries on the belt until the person in front has finished paying.
“This may sound harsh but treat everybody that’s not in your household as if they have the virus, you just don’t know!!!
“Most importantly, just stay safe! This is what we are doing here, it’s not an overreaction, it’s staying safe. And just remember others should be looking at you in this way as well.
“It’s not horrible, it’s a way of keeping your distance to ultimately help save lives.”
Fans praised Young for his clear and practical advice that can help save lives among his 2.5 million Twitter followers.
Twitter user Martin wrote: “Ashley Young giving out better advice than UK government.”
Another commented: “Stay safe Ashley.”
And one United fan tweeted: “Very good advice Ash, hope you and your family are staying safe in Italy.”