Italy is now on lockdown as the outbreak of the coronavirus continues to evolve.
Over 9,000 people have now been infected by the virus, with cases confirmed in all 20 of Italy’s regions.
“We’re having an important growth in infection… and of deaths,” Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, according to the BBC.
“The whole of Italy will become a protected zone,” the Prime Minister continued.
“We all must give something up for the good of Italy. We have to do it now.”
In an attempt to contain the spread of the virus, public gatherings have been banned, sporting events have been cancelled and schools and universities will stay closed until 03 April. People are being encouraged to stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave the house.
Many are fearing the economic implications of the virus as it spreads across the world.
The Italian Prime Minister announced the nation-wide lockdown yesterday evening:
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that the whole of the country is being put on lockdown in an attempt to contain the #coronavirus outbreak.
For the latest on #COVID19, click here: https://t.co/BnjqqFZLOz pic.twitter.com/hFF2zYmuMB
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 9, 2020
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Italy Prime Minister Conte says movement will be restricted all over the country and that people should not move other than for work and emergencies. All public gatherings will be banned and sporting events suspended. Live #coronavirus updates: https://t.co/DEcTSpULAT pic.twitter.com/dL4ZTch9lq
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 9, 2020
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The Department of Health and Social Care provided an update on the situation in the UK:
UPDATE on coronavirus (#COVID19) testing in the UK:
As of 9am 9 March 2020, a total of 24,960 people have been tested:
24,641 negative.
319 positive.3 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have sadly died.
▶️https://t.co/VdU3Lzcrhl pic.twitter.com/TDrhUzIEya
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 9, 2020
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We will keep you updated as the situation evolves.