‘Worst crisis since WWII’: c shuts down ALL non-essential businesses in desperate bid to contain coronavirus spread

Calling the crisis the “most difficult” one in Italy’s  post-war period, Conte announced that only "activities deemed vital for national production will be allowed" until at least April 3.

We are slowing down the country's production engine but we are not stopping it

Urging the population to keep calm, stay at home and not hoard, the PM promised that all supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as banking services and essential public transport will remain open.

While it wasn’t clear which factories and businesses will be considered vital to keep Italy running, the government is expected to issue an emergency decree, detailing the new measures and making them effective immediately.

The death toll from the Covid-19 illness in Italy has nearly reached 5,000, staggering 793 people confirmed dead on Saturday alone. The Mediterranean nation surpassed China earlier this week to become the worst-hit country in the world with the total number of cases at over 53,000.

The Russian President voiced his support to the leadership in Rome and the Italian people as he spoke with Conte on Saturday, promising to provide protective gear, mobile sanitizers and other medical equipment to Italy. Eight teams of Russian military medics and virology experts are already on standby and could be deployed  to Italy as early as Sunday, once Rome greenlights the move.