All of Italy’s 60 million citizens are in lockdown - here’s why

Tuesday, 10th March 2020, 11:02 am
Updated Tuesday, 10th March 2020, 11:03 am

Italy’s government has imposed a nationwide lockdown in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The move, which is unprecedented in Italian history, comes as the country battles by far the largest outbreak of the disease in Europe, with more than 7,300 confirmed cases at the time of publishing.

On Monday, Italy’s death toll spiked to 463 from 366 on Sunday.

‘There is no more time’

Announcing the emergency measures, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte ordered the country’s 60 million strong population to stay in their homes. People must now seek official permission before they are allowed to travel.

“There is no more time,” Conte said in a televised address to the nation.

“The whole of Italy will become a protected zone. We must all give up something for the good of Italy. We have to do it now.”

What are the restrictions?

Italians are forbidden from gathering in public while the measures are in place. Bars, cafes, restaurants, and workplaces have been closed.

Schools and universities, which were ordered to be shut last week, will remain closed until early April.

All sporting events have been suspended across the country, which throws the conclusion of the rugby Six Nations Championship into doubt.

No one is allowed to travel, unless given permission by authorities. Officials say people with valid family emergencies, or with jobs that are classed as essential, will still be allowed to travel.

Air passengers in and out of Italy will have to prove their travel is unavoidable. Cruise liners and other ships carrying passengers will be turned away from several of the country’s largest ports.

Coronavirus: the facts









Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS