How Italy’s lockdown has affected Vatican City

As the whole of Italy goes into total lockdown due to coronavirus, Vatican City – the city-state landlocked by Rome – is feeling the impact.

The Vatican Museums has closed and mass services will be suspended in Vatican City as Italy announces a drastic shutdown to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Vatican City, the tiny city-state that’s landlocked by Rome, has one confirmed case of the virus but will enforce its own precautionary measures after the Italian Government’s announcement of a countrywide lockdown amid its rising virus death toll.

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The Vatican Museums, a major tourist destination that houses some of the world’s most renowned Renaissance artworks, including Michaelangelo’s The Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel, will be closed until April 3.

An unusually deserted St Peter's Square at the Vatican on March 6, 2020. Picture: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

“Having acknowledged the Decree of the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic … we would like to inform you that, for precautionary measures, from today the Vatican Museums will remain closed to the public,” a statement from the museum said on Monday.

The catacombs under St Peter’s Basilica are also closed to the public.

The Basilica itself is still open but visitors are being asked to keep a distance of about a metre from each other.

The Vatican Museums has closed in co-ordination with Italy’s drastic shutdown. Picture: AP/Andrew Medichini

Meanwhile, in almost unprecedented decision, public Catholic mass services will be suspended in Rome and the Vatican until April 3 – a week before Easter.

Pope Francis has resorted to live streaming daily mass from his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, with only a few people allowed in the chapel with him.

“Pope Francis made this decision so as to be closer to those who are ill, in quarantine or, for whatever reason, unable to leave their homes,” Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Pope Francis waves briefly from his window overlooking St Peter's Square after delivering the Angelus prayer on a giant screen on Sunday, March 8. Picture: AP/Andrew Medichini

The Pope, who appears to have recovered from a recent cold, will also avoid meeting large crowds during the lockdown period.

It is unclear what public masses will go ahead during Holy Week in the lead-up to the Easter weekend, the holiest time of the year for Catholics.

Crowds have disappeared across Vatican City, a major daytrip destination for tourists in Rome.

The usual long queues outside the Vatican Museums have gone, and the St Peter’s Square, the massive plaza in front of St Peter’s Basilica, is eerily empty.

Crowds watch the live-streamed prayers. Picture: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

It comes as Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced restrictions on public gatherings across Italy as the country’s death toll from coronavirus hit 463 – the second-highest death toll outside China.

The restrictions, which take effect on Tuesday and will last until April 3, will also affect night-life, sporting events, schools and universities.

Restaurants and cafes have also been ordered to close at dusk.