Rome has closed down all its Catholic churches in Italy's latest drastic step to halt the coronavirus outbreak.
Worshippers have been exempted from attending Sunday Mass in a shutdown announced by the Pope's deputy in Rome last night as Italy's death toll passed 1,000.
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis said Rome's 900 churches will be closed until at least April 3, when Italy's nationwide quarantine is due to end.
The Vatican has already shut down St Peter's Square, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican museums to tourists with weddings and funerals called off.
