The Italian government announced that it would extend unprecedented restrictive measures to the whole country from the following day to deal with the coronavirus epidemic: citizens are asked to restrict their movements as much as possible and all sporting or cultural events are canceled.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that schools, universities, theatres, and cinemas are closed, as are museums, churches, swimming pools, and sports halls. Only travel "for proven professional reasons, situations of necessity or for health reasons" is allowed until 3 April.

The measure, unprecedented in peacetime in a democratic country, aims to contain the spread of the virus, which has already caused more than 460 deaths to date and is putting a strain on Italy's health system.