The northwestern city of Alessandria finds itself near the heart of an Italian outbreak that has officially infected at least 110,000 and killed more than 13,000 people.

Its Piedmont region has recorded 886 deaths in the past month. Many think the real toll could be at least twice as high.

Italy entered a national lockdown three weeks ago that will run at least until mid-April in an effort to stop the spread.

But a range of people – from rubbish collectors and shop workers to police officers and nursing home staff – still risk their lives every day by showing up for work.

Italy would like to see all of them tested, for their own safety and the safety of those they meet.

Health workers in white protective suits and goggles walk up to drivers and gently insert a swab high up a person’s nose.

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The procedure is delicate and takes a few moments. Some drivers initially recoil at the shock.

“Don’t move and everything will be fine,” one of the nurses says to a slightly alarmed-looking driver. “You will have the results in a few days.”

Italy’s infection rates are slowing and hopes are rising high that the Mediterranean country has already survived the worst.

But officials are now thinking about how they are ever going to reopen the country without sparking a new wave of infections.

Comprehensive testing is almost certainly going to be part of any get back to work scheme.

The drive-through project in Alessandria might eventually be reproduced across Italy – if it works.

“Here, we are able to test up to 60 people a day, testing every five minutes,” said Volante. “It frees up human resources – and above all, the protective equipment.”