Whole of Italy under lockdown as country records over 9,000 confirmed infections

·

The whole of Italy is being put on lockdown as the country attempts to stop the rapid spread of coronavirus. The COVID-19 virus has already led to 463 deaths in Italy, an increase of almost 100 in a 24-hour period, and more than 9,000 confirmed infections in just over two weeks.

All sports events, including Italian football’s Serie A competition, have now been suspended until further notice. Public gatherings are also banned, with movement across the nation being severely restricted in an attempt to contain the COVID-19 virus.

Until 3 April, around 60 million people will effectively be under quarantine by the strict measures which had already been introduced in northern and some central areas over the weekend.

Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte is urging people to stay at home. Photo: Sky News

Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has urged people to please stay in their homes, saying: “The future depends on us and everyone must do their part.”

The Prime Minister added that public transport will remain operational, yet people should only move around for work and emergencies. The closure of schools and universities across the country is being extended to 3 April.

Greece’s ministry of foreign affairs has sent a message of support and solidarity to Italy on Twitter, with the message reading: “A message of support & solidarity to our Italian friends who bravely face the emergency #coronavirus. Our thoughts go to the families of the victims, to all those affected & to the medical staff who face this emergency with altruism.”

More than 300 of Italy’s fatalities are in the Lombardy region – which includes the country’s financial capital Milan.

The prior measures in Lombardy had affected 10 million residents, and another six million in the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro and Urbino, Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Vercelli, Padua, Treviso and the tourist hotspot of Venice.

The coronavirus has now infected approximately 112,000 people, with 3,884 having died. Greece’s COVID-19 infections have now increased to a total of 84, with no deaths being recorded yet.

Numerous events in Greece have been cancelled. Athens’ half-marathon scheduled for March 22 will be postponed, it was made public on Monday afternoon.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Valentine’s Day, Greek Style: Two couples reflect on love, family and tradition

This year, The Greek Herald decided to speak with two Greek Australian couples from across the nation to ask them how they met.

‘It’s Story Time’ with Sophia Amarandos: A mini dating series on finding love

Sophia Amarandos is on her very own Bridget Jones-esque quest to find love, no matter how many glasses of wine and awkward dinners it takes.

Macquarie University leads the way in Greek Language Certificate awards ceremony

Over 200 people attended the award ceremony of the Certificates of Attainment in Greek Language 2024 that took place at Macquarie University.

Taste of the Aegean: Meet the Greek foodies bringing flavour to Antipodes 2025

This year’s Antipodes Festival is celebrating Greek culture and food with 'Taste of the Aegean,' proudly supported by The Greek Herald.

Inner West Hawks FC kick off 2025 season with memorable launch event

The Inner West Hawks FC officially launched their 2025 season with a vibrant celebration at Club Five Dock RSL on Wednesday, February 12.

You May Also Like

Turkish Government criticises Greek Archbishop for saying ‘Islam is not a religion’ on TV

The Archdiocese of Athens was quick to defend the comments made by Archbishop Ieronymos II, noting that he was “referring to the group of extreme fundamentalists".

Unapproved third runway for Melbourne airport could impact Federal Labor in elections

The Melbourne's pending third runway to mitigate the issue of aircraft noise is placing political pressure on the Labor party.

‘I don’t want to see a two-tier society’: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet

Dominic Perrottet addressed multicultural media on Wednesday for the first time as the New South Wales leader.