Italy has been the most affected country in Europe from the coronavirus, with the total number of cases rising to 9,172 from 7,375 on Sunday. It also has the highest mortality rate from the virus than any other country in the world.

To combat the spreading of the disease, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree restricting the travel of people living in Lombardy, where there have been the most cases, and fourteen other northern provinces, essentially setting up a massive quarantine.

At least 16 million people have been quarantined, with travel restrictions in place until April 3. Even government officials have been affected by the disease. Italian Chief of Army Staff Salvatore Farina tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend and self-quarantined himself inside his home. Alberto Cirio, the head of the north-western Piedmont region, and Nicola Zingarett,  the head of the central Lazio region, have also contracted the disease.

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