Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has imposed travel restrictions and other strict public health measures nationwide to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

A deserted street in Venice, Italy. Credit:Getty Images

Conte said on Monday night that a new government decree would require people throughout the country of 60 million people to demonstrate a need to work, health conditions or other limited reasons to travel outside the areas where they live.

The restrictions take effect on Tuesday and, like those already in place in northern Italy, will last until April 3, he said.

"There won't be just a red zone," Conte told reporters referring to the quarantine order he signed for a vast swath of northern Italy over the weekend.