An Italian man has taken extreme measures to ward off coronavirus, after it was classed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization this week.

In a clip shared to Twitter on Wednesday, he strolls along the streets of Rome wearing a giant disc in an attempt to enforce social distancing amid the global outbreak.

There have been 827 deaths from 12,462 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Italy - the most anywhere outside of mainland China.

An Italian man has taken extreme measures to ward off coronavirus, after it was classed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization this week

The man leaves the social media user who captured his appearance in hysterics as he visits Testaccio market while shielding himself from fellow shoppers in the elaborate object, which he pairs with a tool used to pick up litter.

Speaking in Italian, he is asked: 'And would this be the security distance for?'

'For coronavirus!', the man responds, before the filmer jokes: 'Wonderful. I can't cope!'

Italy has encouraged the shutdown of travel for its entire population as the European country currently has the highest coronavirus death rate in the world.

In a clip shared to Twitter on Wednesday, he strolls along the streets of Rome wearing a giant disc in an attempt to enforce social distancing amid the global outbreak

The man leaves the social media user who captured his appearance in hysterics as he visits Testaccio market while shielding himself from fellow shoppers in the elaborate object

Earlier this week, Italy implemented a nationwide lockdown in a desperate bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Social distancing, advised by WHO, involves maintaining at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who coughs or sneezes, as the small liquid droplets sprayed could contain the virus.

The measure also includes staying at home if you have a cough or fever even if you have not travelled and 'cocooning' elderly people suspected of being more vulnerable to the infection.

The European country has the highest coronavirus death rate in the world

An empty street due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak in Alzano Lomabardo last week

At least 125,000 patients have been infected and 4,000 have died since the outbreak began last December.

The virus has been spreading between humans in four continents since February 28, the WHO has admitted.

The killer coronavirus rapidly spreading around the world can survive in the air for three hours, scientists have found.

US government researchers, who worked with other experts, also found the deadly infection can live on surfaces for up to three days.

Tests showed the virus can survive on copper for four hours, cardboard for an entire day and up to 72 hours on plastic and steel.