The virus has killed 827 people and infected more than 12,000 in Italy.

The announcement came on the day Italy recorded almost 200 more deaths linked to coronavirus in 24 hours.

“We will close shops, bars, pubs and restaurants,” Conte said in a national television address, adding that home delivery is permitted.

Big businesses such as factories are allowed to remain open as long as they adopt “appropriate security measures to prevent contagion”.

Conte said in the press conference that essential public services, including public transport and utilities, are “guaranteed” and urged people to stay indoors unless they need to buy food or other necessities.

He stressed in his nine-minute evening prime time address that there was “no need to rush to buy groceries” because food stores would stay open throughout.

Earlier in the week, the Italian government implemented nationwide measures to control the spread of the coronavirus.

These included a ban on public gatherings, the closure of cinemas and tourist attractions, the suspension of all sporting events and strict travel restrictions until April 3.

Overall in Italy, 827 people have now died from the coronavirus and more than 12,000 have been infected in just under three weeks since the outbreak began in northern Italy.

This figure includes the deceased and a total of 1045 people who have now recovered – 40 more than on Tuesday.

This means the total number of active cases in Italy is now at 10,590.

There are now over a thousand patients in intensive care nationwide – 560 of these are in the Lombardy region alone, where hospitals are severely strained.

The northern region of Lombardy is by far the worst-hit part of Italy.

It has also seen most of the deaths with 617 in total as of Wednesday.

The nearby region of Emilia-Romagna has had 113 fatalities and Veneto in the north east 29.

The vast majority of the deaths have been in northern Italy, though the southern region of Puglia has now recorded five deaths, and Campania on Wednesday recorded its first fatality.

In total, 13 of Italy’s 20 regions have now recorded at least one death linked to coronavirus.

The country has so far conducted over 73,000 tests for the virus.

 More than 70 per cent of people who contracted coronavirus in China have now recovered, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Most cases result in only mild symptoms, according to the WHO.

But the virus can be life-threatening to the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions.