To combat the spread of coronavirus, the Italian government has taken the unprecedented step of turning all of Italy into a security zone and banned all unnecessary travel or movement from one's home unless necessary and justified.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the new restrictive measures were absolutely essential for the present and future of the Italian nation and population. He said the constraints, affecting tens of millions of Italians, will be in place until early April.

Italians are describing the new life they woke up to on Tuesday morning across the country as "surreal." Just weeks ago, people were going about business as usual, but now, they say, their lives have been turned upside down, everything has changed and uncertainly and fear prevail.



In an unexpected move announced to the nation Monday evening on national television, Conte increased restrictive measures across Italy to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Italy has more than 9,000 confirmed cases and intensive care units in hospitals are finding it close to impossible to deal with the growing numbers.

Conte announced that starting Tuesday and until April 3, none of Italy's 60 million citizens would be able to travel or move from one place to another in the country unless it could be justified because of work, a medical reason or an emergency. He said all schools and universities would also remain closed until that date, as will museums and gyms and that sporting events are suspended.