The Guardian | Jon Henley and Angela Giuffrida in Rome: Authorities in virus-hit country take extreme measures as Covid-19 takes hold in Europe

Italy�s government has ordered all shops, bars and restaurants across the country to close after the country�s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose by 31% in the space of 24 hours to a total of 827.

As governments across Europe cancelled events, shut schools and imposed travel bans and the World Health Organization formally declared a pandemic, the Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said all stores would close nationwide bar those selling �basic necessities�, such as pharmacies and supermarkets.

�Industries can stay open, but with strict measures in place, as well as essential services such as banks. Transport will be guaranteed,� Conte said on Wednesday night, warning Italy�s population of over 60 million not to �rush to the supermarkets� as shelves would be restocked as normal.

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