Italy puts large parts of north on virus lockdown: govt

Millions of people were placed under forced quarantine in northern Italy early on Sunday as the government approved drastic measures in an attempt to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus that is sweeping the globe.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Twitter he had signed off on plans to strictly limit movement into and out of large areas of the north, including Milan and Venice.

"#Coronavirus, the new decree is finally approved," Conte wrote.