Italy, one of the countries to be suffering worst from the COVID-19 outbreak, has extended strict quarantine measures nationwide.
Cases of the virus have now been confirmed in all 20 Italian regions, with the death toll in the country from the virus jumping to 463 on Monday. There have been over 7,800 cases of the virus in the country so far.
New restrictions are due to come into effect on Tuesday which will see members of the public only permitted to travel if they can prove they are doing so for work or in the case of family emergencies. All schools and universities are already closed in the country, and some areas already have strict quarantine measures in place. A variety of public venues including cinemas and gyms will remain closed.
There are controls at train stations and restrictions at some airports and ports.
In a televised address, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged Italians to stay at home and said;
“We’re having an important growth in infection… and of deaths,”
“We all must give something up for the good of Italy. We have to do it now, and we’ll only be able if we all collaborate and adapt to these more stringent measures.
“This is why I decided to adopt even more strong and severe measures to contain the advance… and protect the health of all citizens.”
All sporting events and public gatherings are being banned in the country. Weddings and funerals are banned and bars and restaurants will be forced to close at 6pm.
Italy is the country currently suffering worst from the virus outbreak after China. Worldwide, there have been over 114,000 cases of the virus confirmed, with over 4,000 deaths.
