Tourists wearing a protective face mask walk on San Marco square in Venice
A quarter of the Italian population was in lockdown on Sunday as the government took drastic steps to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus sweeping the globe, while Iran recorded another 49 deaths and the national airline suspended flights to Europe.
Tourists wearing respiratory masks visit the Coliseum in Rome
Italy's COVID-19 deaths toll is now 233, more than any other country outside China.
The outbreak has now killed more than 3,500 people and infected over 105,000 across 95 countries and territories.
Italy's measures, in place until April 3, bar people from entering or leaving vast areas of northern Italy without good reason, according to a decree published online.
People rushed to escape northern Italy as the government imposed a quarantine on the region affecting an estimated 16 million people
The quarantine zones are home to more than 16 million people and include the regions around Venice and financial capital Milan. Cinemas, theatres and museums will be closed nationwide.
Tourists wearing a protective face mask walk on San Marco square in Venice
Tourists wearing respiratory masks visit the Coliseum in Rome
Italy's measures, in place until April 3, bar people from entering or leaving vast areas of northern Italy without good reason, according to a decree published online.
People rushed to escape northern Italy as the government imposed a quarantine on the region affecting an estimated 16 million people
