Coronavirus patients who refuse to self-isolate face murder charges in Italy

Italian authorities are clamping down on anyone who ignores measures to stop the spread of coronavirus (Picture: Mega/Backgrid)

Anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus in Italy who refuses to self-isolate could face 21 years in prison.

Authorities warn that those who come down with a cough, fever or other signs of the deadly Sars-like disease who avoid going into quarantine could risk being charged with attempted murder. The country is struggling to contain the spread of the bug and has confirmed more than 12,000 cases and 827 deaths.

Italy has been put on a nationwide lockdown with all stores except for pharmacies and food outlets being ordered to close down. Citizens have also been told they are not allowed to travel unless for pressing health or work reasons.

Anyone who comes down with a fever, cough, or other symptoms of the new coronavirus strain named Covid-19 who do not put themselves under self-isolation risk being charged with causing injury and be jailed for six months to three years.

Only pharmacies and food outlets have been allowed to stay open (Picture: Getty Images)

An empty street in Turin after the city was put on lockdown (Picture: EPA)

If a careless coronavirus sufferer went on to pass the bug to an elderly person or someone made vulnerable by a pre-existing health condition, then they could charged with ‘intentional murder’ and could spend up to 21 years behind bars, reports Il Sole 24 Ore.

Those who carry on with their daily business after knowingly making contact with a coronavirus patient could also face the same penalty, as well as those who fail to warn people they may have infected.

Symptoms are very similar to the flu or common cold, but advice has been given on how to spot the difference for those with concerns.

Italy’s new legal measures have been compared to punishments for people who willingly pass on HIV to unsuspecting victims.

A traveller at a checkpoint inside Milan Central Station (Picture: REX)

A worker carries out sanitation of roads and sidewalks, in Padua (Picture: EPA)

If someone wilfully ignoring authorities makes someone fall ill for 40 days or more, they could face three to seven years in prison.

Authorities say anyone who tries to bypass Italian restrictions by lying about urgent reasons they need to move around the country could be charged with false attestation to a public official and could be jailed for one to six years if found guilty.

Those who break the rules and move without a good reason face three months in custody or a fine of up to 206 euros (£181).

Across the world coronavirus has infected 126,000 people and has killed around 4,600.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.