Italy to shut schools and universities over coronavirus

Italy is shutting all schools and universities in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Italian authorities say 107 people have died and 3,089 have been infected, making it by some distance the worst-affected European Nation.

Only schools in the north of the country, where the coronavirus outbreak is centred, had closed so far, but the wider shutdown will last until 15 March.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte while announcing the move said the country’s health service risked being overwhelmed.

All sports events will also be played behind closed doors until 3 April.

The outbreak is currently centred on the Lombardy region around Milan, and neighbouring regions of Veneto and Emilia Romagna.