Italy, which is now the epicentre of the coronavirus after China, has warned that anyone who comes 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 currently suffering from the massive outbreak with more than 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 800 deaths so far.
Barring pharmacies and food outlets, Italy has ordered a nationwide shutdown.
Citizens have been asked to refrain from travelling unless it is for medical reasons or work.
"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," Metro UK reported.
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 be charged with ¡®intentional murder¡¯ and could spend up to 21 years behind bars, reports Il Sole 24 Ore.
Those who fail to warn people that they may be infected and those who carry on with daily business after coming in contact with an infected person will also face the same charges.
Italy's measures to contain the spread of coronavirus and the subsequent penalty is similar to the punishment for HIV patients who pass on the disease.
If someone wilfully ignoring authorities makes someone fall ill for 40 days or more, they could face three to seven years in prison.
The Coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic by WHO, has infected more than 1,26,000 globally and claimed more than 5,000 lives so far.