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Italians who dare to breach the COVID-19 lockdown in the virus-stricken country are being warned that if they do so, they could face 21 years in prison.

Those who refuse to self-isolate and instead breach the nationwide lockdown already face fines in the hundreds of euros just for doing so. But according to reports in Metro and other outlets, citizens showing virus symptoms, but who refuse to lock themselves away from their neighbours, could face much more serious charges.

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Under existing Italian law, Metro reports, those who display symptoms but then refuse to self-isolate could be charged with causing injury — a charge that carries a sentence of six to 36 months in jail.

On the more severe end of the sentencing, those who display symptoms and refuse to self-isolate, and who then end up needlessly passing on the virus to an elderly or vulnerable person who then dies, could be charged with “intentional murder” — punishable by a 21-year sentence.