The balcony is no longer a place for sunbathing, but a door to communicate with the outside world of Nelson, a teacher in Madrid.

"The outside world is very quiet," said Cassadra Nelson, a 25-year-old American teacher who lives in the center of the Spanish capital. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, moved to Madrid in August last year to teach English.

After the school was closed on March 11, Nelson spends most of his time in the park with friends. But as of March 14, the park was closed.

"Almost every house has a balcony and this is the only place they can see the sun. Therefore, people stand on the balcony all day long. They sing, play and dance. are trying not to die from boredom, "Nelson said.

Nelson is just one of about 170 million people across Europe who are getting used to getting used to a new life, when countries like France and Spain follow Italy, imposing a nationwide blockade to stop Covid-19.

The pandemic is spreading at a dizzying pace across Europe, a new global epidemic, and Italy remains the second most heavily affected country in the world, after China, where the outbreak began. Italy has recorded nearly 28,000 cases and more than 2,100 people died from nCoV.

With 368 new deaths, March 15 became Italy's deadliest since the outbreak of Covid-19. This has raised concerns about the health system of the country will have to "support themselves" to cope with the constantly increasing number of infections.

The Italian government last week imposed a nationwide blockade to prevent nCoV from spreading, closing schools and shops, banning all sporting events and requiring everyone to stay home, except in urgent cases.

"Scientists say the epidemic has not yet reached its peak, so these weeks are the most dangerous period and need maximum precautions," Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte said, explaining that the blockade effect could see after a few weeks.

After the initial chaos, Italians are gradually getting used to life in a blockade. In the port city of Livorno in the region of Tuscany, people are allowed to go out to supermarkets and pharmacies but they are allowed to go alone. They can still work if they cannot work remotely.

However, only a few people were allowed to enter one store at a time, so many people had to wait in line outside. They must also maintain a minimum safe distance of one meter as recommended by health officials.

People leaving the home must bring a form explaining the reason for the trip. If they are stopped by the police and given an unreasonable reason, they may be fined. Family gatherings, friend exchanges or leaving the residence area are prohibited.

Despite a life of inconvenience due to a blockade, many residents of Livorno said it was essential to prevent nCoV from spreading, protecting the community, especially those with weak health, and reducing pressure. to the national health system.

To overcome the "gloomy" as well as the fear of the Covid-19 epidemic, many people in the city of Livorno, the city of Casoria in southern Naples and many other places have come together to sing the balconies. Not only does it help relieve melancholy, many people hope this action can encourage the morale of others, especially health workers who are day and night fighting against the epidemic.

While many people gradually accept the blockade life, the Italian Interior Ministry said authorities still found 20,000 people deliberately violated the blockade orders across the country and they would face sanctions.

In Madrid, Spain, busy and bustling streets now become deserted after the government imposed a blockade on the night of March 14. People are now only allowed to leave home for work, a pharmacy or a hospital.

Madrid police fined 199 people and arrested one for violating the blockade, Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida said.

More than 1,000 soldiers have been mobilized across the country to oversee the execution of the blockade and demand that everyone go home unless they have a good reason to go out. Spain is currently the second largest epidemic region in Europe, after Italy, with nearly 10,000 cases and more than 340 deaths.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron requires people to "strictly restrict movement for at least the next 15 days" as well as reduce social exposure as much as possible to prevent nCoV from spreading.

"We are in a war. The enemy is invisible so we have to give it our all," President Macron said in a speech in Paris on March 16. He also stated that people are not allowed to gather friends and family and are only allowed to go out to buy necessities, medical examination or work.

Earlier on the same day, the head of the French national public health agency Jerome Salomon warned that the fight against Covid-19 was facing many difficulties.

"A lot of people are not aware that they need to stay home and a limited level of compliance means we can't beat the disease," Salomon said.

France currently records more than 6,600 cases and 148 deaths from nCoV. "I urge all French people to join hands to fight Covid-19," he said.

Many restaurants, cafes and streets in Paris become deserted. At the famous Dome restaurant, a sign hung on the door that read "Closed for Covid-19".

A number of tourist attractions, including the Montparnasse neighborhood, have also become unusually quiet over the past few days.

However, many people still gather in Paris's parks, waterfronts and public places, making officials concerned that people are overlooking government warnings.