'The Streets Are Empty, People Are Panicking' - Italian-Based Striker Simy Gives Insight On Coronavirus

Italy is virtually on lockdown as part of the government's measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and people have been told to stay in their homes except for visits to grocery stores for supplies and pharmacies.

Five Sampdoria players Manolo Gabbiadini, Omar Colley, Albin Ekdal, Antonio La Gumina and Morten Thorsby, and Juventus center back Daniele Rugani have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Italian Serie A and B have been suspended and players have been self-isolating at home as a precautionary measure.

Crotone's Nigeria international Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo has given an insight on the coronavirus situation in Italy, which is the most affected part of Europe, with over 15,000 confirmed cases.

Speaking to SuperSport Naija Made on Saturday morning, Simy said : "It is very scary, I must confess it is a very difficult situation. We just have to keep moving, respect the rules because at this moment it is much more important than football, so we just pray and hope.

"At the moment it is a total lockdown, the government had to take a decision because the numbers are going high everyday and it continues to go high.

"No training, everything is suspended, it's not just about football, it's about everything in the country.

"Presently we have only the grocery stores and the pharmacies open so we are just told to stay home because at this moment the numbers are really, really high.

"As of today, I think 15,000 people are affected so what we do is stay home all day and do some little activities not to be out of shape but of course training is different.

"The streets are empty, people are panicking so just stay home, pray and wish things get better".

Though Simy now spends more time with his wife and daughter, the lanky striker admitted to being panicked due to the coronavirus situation.

"For us we have time to spend with our families that is true because we are always busy going around but at the same time staying home in this type of moment is not nice because there is always panicking.

"We had a closed door game and I had to come home panicking, I don't know if I'm safe or if I'd picked up the virus, so it's never good spending time like this at home.

"I think when things are over we'll have more time to spend together,'' he explained.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel