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Coronavirus: How do you lock down an entire country like Italy?

All outdoor gatherings have been cancelled in Italy and museums, theatres and cinemas are closed.

Rome's tourist spot the Spanish Steps was virtually deserted after Italy was put on lockdown
Image: Rome's tourist spot the Spanish Steps was virtually deserted after Italy was put on lockdown
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Italy's prime minister has placed the entire country on lockdown in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Giuseppe Conte said the strict measures would be extended to the whole country on Tuesday - some 60 million people - after parts of northern Italy were shut down earlier.

The measures, which he described as "I stay home", mean people will only be permitted to travel for work or family emergencies.

Rome 'eerily quiet' as lockdown begins
Rome 'eerily quiet' as lockdown begins

There is already some confusion over what Italian citizens will still be allowed to do.

But what do these measures mean for different aspects of life?

Public transport

Mr Conte said public transport would remain operational and airports and train stations would stay open.

More on Covid-19

Tourists will be allowed to return home, but those departing and arriving on flights will have to justify their movements.

Under the previous lockdown affecting only the north, travellers at train stations had to sign police forms to say they were travelling for "proven work needs", situations of necessity, health reasons or to return home.

Police officers make checks at Milan's main train station
Image: Police officers make checks at Milan's main train station

People have had their temperatures checked at train stations.

Cars

On the main roads, police have been checking whether drivers are complying with the movement restrictions.

Military police check documents at a 'red zone' checkpoint in San Fiorano, southeast of Milan
Image: Military police check documents in San Fiorano, southeast of Milan

Cruise ships

At some ports, cruise ships have been forbidden to dock.

Checks were earlier introduced for cruise ship passengers arriving in Venice, who were not allowed to disembark to visit the city.

Restaurants

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Italy coronavirus: Living in lockdown

Bars and restaurants are only permitted to open between 6am to 6pm.

They must also be able to guarantee customers are at least one metre apart.

Businesses will be closed if they do not adhere to the rules.

Shops

Shops can remain open if they are able to guarantee the one-metre safety distance for customers.

Food stores are allowed to remain open at all hours.

Coronavirus: How many cases are there where you live?
Coronavirus: How many cases are there where you live?

On Monday evening, Sky News Italia reported many people had rushed to supermarkets across Italy following the prime minister's announcement.

Large and medium-sized shopping centres and markets have been told to close at weekends.

Sports events

All sports events and competitions have been cancelled until 3 April at the earliest.

A cleaner sanitises seats at the San Paolo stadium
Image: A cleaner sanitises seats at the San Paolo stadium

This includes Serie A football matches.

Mr Conte also said gyms would be closed.

Schools

Schools and universities will be closed until 3 April.

Some schools in the north and centre of Italy had already been closed and expected to reopen on 16 March, but the closures have now been extended.

Social gatherings

All outdoor gatherings have been banned, and events including religious activities, fairs and sports are suspended.

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Pope Francis celebrated morning Mass by himself in the chapel of the Vatican hotel where he lives, with the mass live-streamed instead.

Mr Conte also warned young people should not gather at pubs and bars, saying: "We cannot allow ourselves any more these occasions of meeting, which become occasions of contagion."

All weddings have been suspended until 3 April.

Leisure activities

Across Italy, museums and archaeological sites have been closed.

Ski lifts have also been closed after students whose classes were cancelled began booking trips to ski resorts.

Cinemas and theatres have shut too.

Prisons

All visits to prisons have been suspended.

The containment measures caused riots at prisons across the country, leading to the deaths of six inmates.

Several inmates at a jail in Milan have climbed onto the roof
Image: Several inmates at a jail in Milan climbed onto the roof

Health sector

People accompanying patients to A&E units are not allowed to stay with them in the waiting rooms without permission.

Leave for healthcare workers has been cancelled.

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