Italy weighs tougher virus lockdown, boosts aid for economy

ROME (AP) — Italy mulled imposing even tighter restrictions on daily life and announced billions in financial relief Wednesday to cushion economic shocks from the coronavirus, its latest efforts to adjust to the fast-evolving health crisis that also silenced the usually bustling heart of the Catholic faith, St. Peter’s Square.

Premier Giuseppe Conte said he will consider requests to toughen Italy's already extraordinary anti-virus lockdown that was extended nationwide Tuesday. Lombardy, Italy's hardest-hit region, is pushing for a shutdown of nonessential businesses and public transportation on top of travel and social restrictions already in force.

But Conte said fighting Italy's more than 10,000 infections must not come at the expense of civil liberties, appearing cautious about any move toward the draconian quarantine measures imposed in China, where the outbreak started but is now subsiding.

Conte's government also announced it is earmarking 25 billion euros (nearly $28 billion) to boost anti-virus efforts and soften economic blows, including delaying tax and mortgage payments by families and businesses.

With police barring access to St. Peter’s Square, emptying it of tens of thousands of people who usually come on Wednesdays for the weekly papal address, Pope Francis instead livestreamed prayers from the privacy of his Vatican library.

Across the world, repercussions from the virus mounted.

In the U.S., the caseload passed 1,000, and outbreaks on both sides of the country stirred alarm. In Europe, deaths soared among Italy's aging population.

“Right now, the epicenter — the new China — is Europe,” said Robert Redfield, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rome’s usual boisterous hum was reduced to a whisper as...