‘The whole of Italy is being put on lockdown as the country tries to stop the spread of coronavirus.

All public gatherings will be banned, sports events including football matches are suspended, and movement is being severely restricted across the country in a bid to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

Italy is the worst-hit nation in Europe with 463 virus-related deaths, an increase of almost 100 in a 24-hour period, and more than 9,000 confirmed infections in just over two weeks.

Around 60 million people will now effectively be placed under quarantine by the strict measures which had already been introduced in northern and some central areas over the weekend.’

Read more: Coronavirus: Whole of Italy put on lockdown as public told to ‘stay at home’