Italy bans all internal travel

Italy has banned all travel within the country, in a further escalation of its attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was announced as all non-essential businesses including car, clothing and furniture makers were ordered to close and a further 651 people died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Domenico Arcuri, head of the government's coronavirus relief effort, told state broadcaster RAI that Italy was "at war" with the virus.

Other countries are also stepping up their efforts to control the disease, urging people to stay at home.

Spain, the second-worst affected country in Europe, plans to extend a state of emergency until April 11, after recording more than 1,700 deaths.

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