Normally, shopping isn't a fun thing to do, but with cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs closed in most parts of the world, going out to buy groceries has taken on a lot of importance for many people.

Currently, the local supermarket has become the lifeline of at least one person in Rome, Massimo Mui, 56.

"It is the only place where I see people in real life," said Moi, who plans to shop twice a week in the Monti district of Rome since he imposed a closure in the country earlier this month to curb the outbreak of the Corona virus.

He and three or four of his friends pre-arrange their trips and meet up at the store.

"We stand in line and keep a safe distance between us, of course, and we are chatting," Moi told AFP.

Once in, the friends walk in a straight line, one meter apart and return to meet upon the exit to bid farewell to each other.

"Then I go back to my house, where two cats, Odette and Anita, live with me. I love them very much, but they are not good at chatting," Moi said.

On video calls, he said, "It cannot replace real meetings."

Local officials have noted that food stores are now among the last remaining gathering sites in the desolate cities caused by containment measures, and are keen to prevent the formation of new hotbeds of infection.

The mayor of Rome, Virginia Raji, has announced the launch of cleansing and sterilization operations in areas that still have a large presence of people, including pharmacies, supermarkets and hospitals.

When entering stores, many merchants ask customers to put gloves that employees also wear alongside masks.

"It's like being in the hospital," Moi said.

Shop and go

In Spain, where the epidemic has killed more than 3,400 people, customers are sometimes asked to clean their hands, put gloves, and leave their personal belongings at the entrance before shopping begins.

In Madrid, the butcher, Celestino Lopez, said from behind the table, "The talks with the customers are now much shorter."

In Italy, some grocery stores have installed Plexiglas panels at the point of payment to prevent contact between fund accountants and customers.

Moi noted that though, when the customer almost stood face to face with the cashier, the time was right to steal a little social mixing.

"The staff are kinder and more welcoming than usual, especially the younger ones," Moi notes.

"Getting a joke or smiling in these difficult moments has become really valuable. I appreciate it very much."

In Lombardy in northern Italy, the most affected area in Italy with more than 4000 deaths due to Corona, some supermarket chains have begun to measure customer temperatures using thermal scanners at the entrance.