VIDEO: Italians take on social isolation with singing, dancing and movies at windows to beat virus

Gulf Today Report

Italians are beating the social isolation imposed by the country's coronavirus lockdown by taking to their windows and balconies and singing in unison, with videos of the phenomenon racking up thousands of views on social media.

In the San Lorenzo district in the historic centre of Rome, residents in the condominium have taken it to a different level. 

Aureliano Verità, a Social Media Manager, digital strategist, and marketing manager in Rome, spoke to Gulf Today about their condominium.

Verità said, “We are all following the indications received from the Government to remain in self-isolation to stem the spread of the Covid-19 virus, since Friday we decided to look out the windows inside our condominium to sing, read poetry, book extracts and to make projections on the walls.

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“Our neighbour on the third floor projected on the wall a fragment of a video with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, it was impossible not to capture the moment. Stay strong!”

The Italian government has drastically limited citizens' movements, with vast swathes of the economy shut down and people instructed to leave the house only when strictly necessary.

All cultural events have also been suspended, prompting some celebrities to start organising online performances and museums to put virtual tours online.

Italian singer Andrea Sannino posted a compilation on his Instagram feed of people singing his song Abbracciame ("Embrace Me") at their windows in the southern city of Naples, his hometown.

"A day I will tell my children and grandchildren about," the singer wrote, adding: "Thank you for making me cry floods of tears!"

A couple dances at their balcony.

Another social media initiative has seen Italians put up signs outside their homes saying "andra tutto bene" or "everything will be OK".

The slogan is accompanied by a picture of a rainbow — often drawn by children at home as school is cancelled.

Italy has been struck by the worst European outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, with almost 5,000 deaths. Reported infections rose to 53,578 from 47,021.