AKIPRESS.COM - The number of coronavirus cases in Italy leaped by more than 1,200 Saturday, prompting the government to move to lock down the entire northern region of Lombardy, and 11 nearby provinces, The New York Post reported.

Italy reported 5,883 cases on Saturday, and 233 deaths.

The situation is so dire that the Italian government moved to put a China-style lockdown in place until April 3 for Lombardy, including Milan. The quarantine would take effect on Sunday, according to a draft decree from the Italian Prime Minister’s office, seen by The Wall Street Journal.

Lombardy is Italy’s industrial heartland — and the nation’s most populous region.

The decree includes the power to impose fines on anyone caught entering or leaving Lombardy — the worst-affected region — and bans on all public events, including closing ski resorts, movie theaters, gyms, discos and pubs. Religious ceremonies such as funerals and weddings will also be banned.

The provinces outside Lombardy are mostly in the neighboring regions of Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Veneto, the Journal said. Those regions have had the most virus cases after Lombardy.

Italian authorities announced that the draconian measures would be approved late Saturday, according to the Guardian.