Police check cars around Vatican amid lockdown

Italian police were on Wednesday stopping cars and checking driver documents in the Vatican area of Rome, after the government ordered a total lockdown of the nation to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in his private library as the Vatican implemented Italy’s drastic coronavirus lockdown measures and barred the general public from St. Peter’s Square and took precautions to limit the spread of infections in the tiny city-state.

The Italian government announced on Monday evening a nationwide lockdown which extended restrictions on movement from the hard-hit north to the rest of the country.

All but the most essential travel has been halted, and social gatherings have been banned, in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.

Italians can still move around for professional reasons, although smartworking from home is advised.

The announcement by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte came as the country registered 977 more confirmed cases as of Tuesday evening, bringing Italy's total to 10,149.

The number of dead in Italy is stable at 631 - most of them elderly with previous ailments.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.