The coronavirus epidemic may stay with the world longer than expected as thousands of Italians in the most hit region in Europe, escaped the lockdown ordered by the government.
Former Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini shared a video from Garibaldi station in Milan and said: ‘Masses of people in the late Saturday evening storm the last trains leaving Lombardy after the draft coronavirus decree filtered by the Government.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had announced measures in what is the most radical quarantine zone outside of China.
Lombardy and 14 other central and northern regions are affected, with museums, gyms and ski resorts closed, as well as high-profile football matches being played behind closed doors.
Areas in Italy, shaded red, under lockdown for coronavirus
The near total shutdown affects an estimated 16 million people, roughly a quarter of the Italian population.
The number of Covid-19 deaths reported in Italy now stands at 233, more than any other country outside China, the source of the outbreak.
