Italy announces closure off all schools, universities

Italy has announced the closure off all schools and universities in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, as the death toll in the country rose to 79.

The government ordered classrooms across the country to shut until mid-March, reports Independent quoting Ansa news agency.

Schools and universities in the worst-affected regions of northern Italy, where a handful of towns have been quarantined, had already closed 10 days ago.

But the outbreak has since spread to infect more than 2,500 people.

The Italian sports minister has said all Serie A football matches are likely to be played behind closed doors for the next month in an effort to stem the epidemic.