All sport in Italy has been suspended until at least 3 April because of coronavirus, the country's prime minister Giuseppe Conte has announced.
The decision comes after another significant spike in cases, as there have now been 7,985 positive tests for Coronavirus in the country, an increase of 1,598 from yesterday.
There have also been another 97 deaths over the last 24 hours, taking the total casualty toll to 463.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced in an emergency press conference this evening that the ‘red zone’ limitations that so far had been largely around Lombardy and northern regions would now apply to all of Italy.
“There is no more time, the numbers tell us there is a significant increase in the contagion, in intensive care and the deaths. Our habits have to change, we must sacrifice something for the good of all of Italy. This is why we will adopt even more stringent measures.
“I will sign the new decree, which can be summed up with the phrase ‘I am staying at home.’ There are no more red zones, there is just an Italy that is protected.
“We must avoid travel unless for proven work reasons, health reasons or other necessities. We ban large public gatherings.
“We also have more stringent measures in mind for sporting events. Serie A and all sporting tournaments in general are suspended. All the fans must accept that.”
It remains to be seen how this will affect the Champions League and Europa League, as even playing behind closed doors might not be considered enough.
Napoli and Atalanta are in the Champions League, with Atalanta flying out today for tomorrow’s Round of 16 clash with Valencia.
Roma and Inter are both up against Spanish sides in the Europa League, Sevilla and Getafe.
Akechandy
2631
OFFICIAL: Coronavirus has suspended all Air CR7 flights.
JohnWick7
1635
This is not all About football anymore, we have to pray harder the world entirely is really in Danger
Manfred_Maniche
854
Pray for China Pray for Italy Pray for the world
cyruseagleruler
817
only Manchester city won't feel the effect of playing behind closed doors cos they are used to playing the emptyhad
Christopher_Robin
749
Like come on guys, Italy got over 1000 cases in a day and is now 2nd in the list, (beating South Korea) of leading countries with the virus. It's pretty obvious this had to be done.
JohnWick7
705
The Reason Corona didn't Affect German games is because Bayern, BVB and Leipzig has Turned Bundesliga to Basketballiga making Corona to be confused[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Akechandy
663
The top goalkeepers should come together and catch this virus before it ends football globally.
sapabdluy
587
Aaron Ramsey curse continue a day after he scored for Juventus the next day league suspended
Samyzy
504
I just hope in a few years time we’ll all look back and laugh at this moment, filled with happiness that we were able to control this virus and the world didn’t eventually end. Life in Italy must be so hard and I don’t want to imagine what they’re going through over there but my heart and best wishes goes out to every corona victim across the world.
myklm
455
Most heartbroken news ever.Italians can't live without football. Let's pray together for this situation
R8HaB
431
Health comes first even though I want to watch the matches. Let's all pray together for this virus to disappear 🙏🙏🙏🙏
leviiscr7
409
won't stop him
frank_leo
399
Coronavirus in control
Dwise
363
"Health is wealth not pieces of gold or silver".. We all love to watch the matches,But health comes first
Dwise
338
Expectations:- CoronaVirus.. Reality:- Suspended Virus
Trick03
226
EPL next
lezbcekmr
65
Anytime Ramsey scores, something terrible happens!
Jaobcdelnt
50
Me who is thinking about Ronaldo winning Ballon d'Or this year
Venusballin
19
Me thinking on how this Virus came into existence in the first place.
[image]
Coronavirus is a family of virus. it's not new. Coronavirus is also the cause of Several Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that broke our in China in 2002. Its also the cause of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that broke out in the Middle East in 2014. This particular coronavirus labelled covid-2019 is a mutation of Coronavirus. This means it's entirely a new epidemic. This is why it's challenging to handle. We are only lucky that the mortality and morbidity rate of covid-2019 isn't as bad as MERS or SARS. This may surprise you, I know. It will take at least 18 months to come up with a vaccine for this one. It's needless to base the origination of this virus on conspiracy theories. If you understand virology, you'll know that virus needs a host to thrive. Bats and snakes are suspected hosts. I see that someone made a comment that why doesn't the virus affect bats. Well, it's possible. The generic makeup and immune system of bats may be accommodating to the virus. Are you even aware some human hosts are accommodating to this virus as well? Some are carrier and they show know symptoms. Majority of those who died from this virus are the elderly the already sick people. The virus will struggle to defeat a strong immune system and will eventually die of. Over 30, 000 people infected with coronavirus have already fully recovered. Let me stop here, but before I go I want you to know this: seasonal flu in America kills thousands yearly. It killed over 40, 000 in 2017 and even more in recent years. So what's my point? Covid-2019 is given this much attention because it's a global emergency.