Coronavirus: Italy extends strict measures to whole country – BBC News

Italy is extending its coronavirus quarantine measures, which include a ban on public gatherings, to the entire country. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that people would only be permitted to travel for work or family emergencies. He said the measures, which come into effect on Tuesday, were to defend the most fragile members of society. The decision follows a large increase in Italy's coronavirus death toll – which jumped by 97 to 463. It is the worst-hit country in the world after China.

In the United Kingdom, people who show "even minor" signs of respiratory tract infections or a fever will soon be told to self-isolate in an effort to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the UK government’s chief medical adviser Chris Whitty said a change in advice could happen in the next two weeks. Five people have now died from coronavirus in the UK.

As the international community struggles to contain the spread of coronavirus, the World Health Organisation has praised China for its response and suggested it offers a model for others to follow. But inside China there's anger over the way the authorities have handled the outbreak, with censorship being stepped up, which is the very approach that experts say helped to accelerate the spread in the first place.

Presented by Huw Edwards, and reporting from Health Editor Hugh Pym, Italy Correspondent Mark Lowen, Sports Editor Dan Roan and China Correspondent John Sudworth.

Part of the BBC News at Ten

[fabrylucy]

I'm from northern Italy, I live in the most affected area..we have had a dramatically increasing rate of infection for 3 weeks..at first only a few weak restrictions were imposed but most people didn't take them seriously and continue to live their lives as nothing was happening..I was waiting for this moment since then, we need our government to take hard but necessary decisions. Please take us as an example and start to make responsible choices from now and it will be ok. Stay safe everybody

[ThePostalGril]

normal sick people: stays at home and rests
coronavirus victims: *deliberately goes on a world tour*

[unutentediyoutube]

I'm Italian and where I live there is the army who makes penalties for whoever goes outside without a reason.
Very anxious.

[thomaslivingstone]

You’re not going to be able to trust people to self quarantine, especially if they NEED to work ...

[Molly-vjok]

Seriously.. people say not to worry, others say be worried...Smh. I literally see people coughing/sneezing without covering their mouth, or washing their hands, its disgusting. no wonder it's spreading as fast as it is

[lost-tracks]

China: stay home
Italy: stay home
Every country: stay home



Australia: WE NEED TOILET PAPER

[ericmedeiros]

Easy for government officials to say stay home, they still get a paycheck if they go to work or not!!

[LivingALifeOfAbundance]

I did not know being an introvert will start to pay off

[OutNaBoutYallahBiNa]

Italy today is UK in 7-10 days. And boris johnson is still asking people just to wash hands.

[theretrogeek]

This should be a lesson, for next time stop all flights in and out of the first affected country it started from, and take this seriously from the start!

[volo]

Coronavirus: *exists*
Humanity: *yoooo! lets go on a cruise*

[ongbookok]

Very brave move by the Italian government. Wish them all the best, to control the spread of the virus.

[rdhillon]

I m living close to Rome
Pls friends pray for Italian people nd pray for those who r infected with deadly corona all over world 🙏🙏🙏
😧😨😦😰😦

[searchbrokuntekinte]

Big respect to italy people before profits

[pengxulai]

Logically, stopping the virus from spreading in the first place by asking everyone to stay at home for a week is more efficient and economic friendly

[Zoonjse]

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with more historic sight than your neighbor knows. Rome alone has thousands. Im happy to have been there with family last summer. Im Praying for Italy. I love Italy. Iceland will stand with you to the fullest! Keep strong Italy.

[Slarti]

The WHO should be changed to the WHY - as in why on earth do they exist as they seem to be totally incompetent?

[Candried]

Italy is so smart for doing this. I wish other countries were doing this

[loxxias]

STAY STRONG ITALY AND STAND UP RESPECT FROM GREECE

[bakersgaming]

Do you think if the whole world went on a 14 day quarantine from the start and snuffed out the virus the economy would have been better off? (Rather than dealing with months of financial crisis)