Italy has been placed under "total lockdown" after Covid-19 cases in the country continue to rise.

On March 10 (Singapore time), Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced in a press conference that he would extend "red zone" restrictions in the north of Italy to the entire country, according to CNN.

In an earlier interview, Conte told La Repubblica newspaper that "this is Italy’s darkest hour".

Italy has been badly hit by the virus, with 9,172 confirmed cases and 463 deaths.

The lockdown will remain in place until at least April 3, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Previously only northern regions were on lockdown

Previous such restrictions included northern regions, including cities like Milan and Venice, affecting 16 million people.

Under those restrictions, public events such as funerals, weddings and sports competitions were suspended or postponed.

Schools and universities, theatres, cinemas, nightclubs and bars were closed.

Restaurants and bars and retail outlets like malls and markets were only open under strict conditions.

Movement affected

Movement is also restricted. People are only allowed to travel for work or for emergencies, according to the BBC.

Italian police will conduct checks along roads and temperature checks at train stations.

Football is also affected, with the country's Serie A league suspended at least under April 3.

The European football body UEFA earlier announced that both legs of the Europa league tie between Italian club Roma and Spanish club Sevilla will be played in an empty stadium, according to the Guardian.

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Top image from Pixabay.