As researchers in one of the regions most severely affected by COVID-19, we have been able to continue our work by using a rigid system of 24-hour shift-working that complies with the Italian government’s strict lockdown conditions.

Under this scheme, group leaders allocated volunteers from their teams to one of three shifts, taking into account ethical issues around sample handling and the cost and relevance of ongoing experiments. The shifts run from 05:00 until 12:00, 12:30 to 17:30 and 18:00 to 04:00; time between shifts is used to sanitize exposed surfaces. Laboratory occupancy at any one time is 10–15% of normal, optimizing safety. For experiments that take longer than a single shift, researchers modify their protocols — for example, by freezing samples — or ask colleagues on the next shift to take over.

People must self-report their health status before coming in: anyone knowingly exposed to or showing symptoms of coronavirus infection is excluded. And those sharing a work space with an individual who develops symptoms, or has come into contact with a symptomatic person, are immediately quarantined and medically tested if necessary (the department is a certified centre for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing).