Vancouver man in northern Italy gives suggestions on social distancing

A Vancouver man in northern Italy says social distancing directives from the Italian government felt like ``suggestions'' when they were first made several weeks ago as the COVID-19 pandemic flared.

But with Italy now within the European epicentre of the outbreak, Alex Grant says Italians now consider self-isolation a ``sacred responsibility.''

Grant and his partner live in a one-bedroom apartment in Milan and he says they are both practising self-isolation.

He says he goes out once a week to grocery shop, there are no shortages, no hoarding, and his advice is ``take the situation seriously, but don't panic.''