Coronavirus in Italy: Italian Prime Minister announces mandatory quarantine of 16 million people

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"This is the time to be responsible", says Italian Prime Minister Giusseppe Conte.

Around 16 million people in Italy, more than a quarter of the country's population, have been placed in mandatory quarantine as the Government scrambles to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Just after midnight, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte imposed the measures affecting millions in the north of the country, including the Lombardy region and at least 14 provinces in neighbouring regions.

Mr Conte, who rolled out the measures until April 3, said: “For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces that I have listed there will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory.

“Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs, exceptional cases and health issues.”

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