Italy expands lockdown to entire country in fight against coronavirus

ROME, Italy — Italy's premier has extended internal travel restrictions imposed in the north to the entire country, locking down 60 million people in its fight against conavirus.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement at a news conference on Monday.

Conte said the measure was taken in order to protect citizens, especially the most fragile individuals.

The Italian government is directing all residents to remain at home and not to travel unless required by their work.

Schools in the whole country are to remain closed until April 3.

As of Monday, the country had 9,172 coronavirus cases and 463 deaths, according to health officials.

With those numbers, Italy again overtook South Korea as the country with the most cases outside China.

The premier also took to task the young people in much of Italy who have been gathering at night to drink and have a good time during the public health emergency that started on Feb. 21.

"This night life...we can't allow this anymore," Conte said.