{"id":34619,"date":"2020-03-06T10:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-03-06T10:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.headout.com\/?p=34619"},"modified":"2022-03-22T10:12:52","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T10:12:52","slug":"coronavirus-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/coronavirus-in-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus in Italy | A comprehensive travel advisory"},"content":{"rendered":"

As of 10 March 2020, all regions in Italy have been placed under lockdown<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 9 March 2020, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that the entire country — 60 million people — will be placed under lockdown. These emergency measures have been taken to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus.<\/p>\n

On 31 January 2020, Italy confirmed its first cases of COVID-19, commonly known as Novel Coronavirus, or simply, Coronavirus. The number of cases significantly increased by mid-February, and today, Italy has the second-highest number of Coronavirus-affected individuals in the world after China, surpassing South Korea. \u2022 As of 10 March 2020, Italy has reported 41,035<\/a> positive cases of Coronavirus. The number is increasing each day.\u2022 As per latest reports, 4,440 persons have been healed, while 3,405 have died due to the virus.\u2022 Most of Northern Italy seems to be the worst affected. Major regions include Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna among others.Italian authorities have taken several measures in an attempt to contain the Coronavirus. In this exhaustive guide, we\u2019ve curated all the necessary material and resources you would require to know about Coronavirus in Italy.<\/p>\n

Travelling To Italy – Here\u2019s What You Need To Know<\/h2>\n

The Italian economy has been considerably affected by the Coronavirus. Several popular tourist attractions have closed down, major public events and festivals have been either postponed or cancelled.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how tourism and life has been affected due to Coronavirus in Italy:<\/p>\n

Northern Italy<\/h3>\n

11 towns have been placed under quarantine — particularly in areas of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna — with nobody allowed in or out without express permission. These quarantine areas are part of the \u2018Red Zone.\u2019 Museums and historical sites in areas like Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Liguria among others have been shut down. Most of Italy\u2019s industrial areas are located in the northern region, comprising around 3000 organizations. Due to the quarantine zones and fear of the virus, industrial output has been severely affected.<\/p>\n

Milan<\/h3>\n

Milan, the fashion and financial center of Italy, located in the Lombardy region, has been impacted by the Coronavirus. While Milan has not been placed under the shutdown, major tourist attractions like the Duomo<\/a>, La Scala Theatre, Piccolo Theatre and Fondazione Prada were shut down. While the much-awaited Milan Fashion Week did continue on schedule, segments like the Giorgio Armani Collection were broadcast on the Internet and not to a live audience. The Milan Furniture Fair has been pushed from April to June.<\/p>\n

Venice<\/h3>\n

In Venice, St Marks Basilica, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Palazzo Ducale and Museo del Vetro have been closed. Gondoliers in Venice are facing massive losses with tourists fleeing the city.<\/p>\n

\"coronavirus<\/p>\n

Image Courtesy<\/a><\/p>\n

Rome<\/h3>\n

POpular tourist attractions like the Colosseum and Vatican Catacombs have been shut down<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Festivals<\/h3>\n

Popular public events and festivals have been either postponed<\/a> or canceled<\/a> due to the Coronavirus in Italy. Vinitaly, an annual wine fair, has been pushed to June from April. A few events during the last days of the widely-celebrated Venice Carnival were canceled and the festival was shut down. The Ivrea Orange Festival, held in Piedmont\u2019s Ivrea, along with the Carnevalone Liberato, held in Poggio Mirteto was also cancelled. The Mercanteinfiera, an event dedicated to vintage and modern collectibles held in Parma, has been pushed to June, while the Children\u2019s Book Fair held in Bologna has been postponed to May. Umbria\u2019s International Journalism Festival, held each year in April, has been cancelled.<\/p>\n

Sporting Events<\/h3>\n

Italy\u2019s sporting world has been impacted<\/a> as well: Four Serie A football matches, including one on Inter Milan\u2019s home turf against Juventus, were canceled for fear of public safety. The country\u2019s rugby<\/a> and volleyball<\/a> match fixtures have been pushed until further notice. The much-awaited Bologna marathon has been cancelled as well.<\/p>\n

Across a number of cities, several bars and restaurants have shut down, while others close early in the day. If you\u2019re planning on visiting popular tourist attractions in Italy, make sure to check official websites for updated information.<\/p>\n

\"Eiffel<\/p>\n

Image Courtesy<\/a><\/p>\n

Which regions in Italy have been affected by the Coronavirus?<\/h3>\n

As of 10 March 2020, all of Italy’s 20 districts have been affected by the Coronavirus. Valle d’Aosta, the smallest and least populated districts of Italy, was the last to be hit; it has reported<\/a> 215 cases as of 19 March 2020.<\/p>\n

The current number of positive cases stands at 33,190 with 3,405 reported fatalities.<\/p>\n

Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Piemonte and Marche have reported<\/a> the maximum number of cases.<\/p>\n

Lombardy, home to popular tourist destinations like Milan, Bergamo and Como, has reported the maximum number of positive cases. Lombardy is where the Coronavirus outbreak first began. As of 19 March 2020, the region has reported<\/a> 19,884 positive cases, the maximum in Italy. Emilia Romagna and Veneto have each reported 5,214 and 3,484 positive cases respectively.<\/p>\n

To contain the virus, the Italian government had initially placed 11 towns under lockdown<\/a>, i.e., part of the \u2018Red Zone\u2019. These included San Fiorano, Castiglione d\u2019Adda, Somaglia, Terranova dei Passerini, Codogno, Castelgerundo, Fombio, Bertonico, Casalpusterlengo and Maleo, all in Lombardy. In Veneto, Vo\u2019Euganeo town has been placed under lockdown. As of 8 March, more regions have been included under lockdown, effectively bringing about 16 million Italians under quarantine. The updated list includes: Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Regio Emilia and Rimini under Emilia Romagna region; Pesaro e Urbino in Marche region; Venezia, Padova and Treviso under Veneto region; Asti, Vercelli, Novara, Verbano Cusio Ossola and Alessandria in Piemonte region.<\/p>\n

As of 10 March 2020, the entire<\/a> country — about 60 million people — has now been placed under quarantine. No individual without express permission and requirement is allowed to travel in and out of the country.<\/p>\n

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International regulations for travel to Italy during Coronavirus<\/h3>\n

Most nations around the world have issued a travel advisory for those planning to visit or are returning from Italy.<\/p>\n

US<\/b><\/p>\n

The US has suspended<\/a> all flights to and from countries in Europe — except for the EU. President Donald Trump announced on March 12 that entry would be denied to anyone who has visited continental Europe in the last two weeks. This ban will be put in place effectively from Friday, 13 March. Airlines like Delta, United and American have implemented this ban immediately.<\/p>\n

UK<\/b><\/p>\n

Similarly, the UK government has also issued<\/a> a travel advisory to those intending to travel to Italy — particularly to affected areas of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna. The escalation is now at Level 3, as per the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Self-quarantine has been advised for those returning from Italy. Several British Airways flights have been canceled and those who wish to modify their bookings may do so until 31 March 2020. Due to a fall in demand, Wizz Air and Ryanair have canceled several flights.<\/p>\n

Australia<\/b><\/p>\n

On March 19, the Australian government announced<\/a> complete closure of its borders. Only exceptions are permanent members and citizens. This travel ban at a Level 4 and as of now, is indefinite.<\/p>\n

Singapore<\/b><\/p>\n

The Singapore government has banned<\/a> entry from of travelers from regions like China, Europe, and other regions. Singapore residents and long-term pass holders must self-quarantine for 14 days.<\/p>\n

EU<\/b><\/p>\n

The EU has collectively<\/a> closed external borders. Those within Europe’s borders can still commute with some reasonable restrictions. Citizens traveling back into Europe would need to place themselves in self-quarantine for 14 days.<\/p>\n

India<\/b><\/p>\n

The Indian government placed a strict travel ban<\/a> on all those visiting India from Europe, UK, Turkey. All visas have been cancelled effective immediately. Indian citizens visiting affected countries have been asked to place themselves in self-quarantine for 14 days.<\/p>\n

Canada<\/b><\/p>\n

The Canadian government has closed<\/a> its borders to anyone who is not a permanent resident or citizen.<\/p>\n

Japan<\/b><\/p>\n

Visitors from China, Korea, Iran, Italy, etc., have been banned<\/a> from entering Japan.<\/p>\n

For more information on travel advisories issued by different countries, check here<\/a> or here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Security measures at Italy\u2019s airports<\/h3>\n

Earlier, to contain the Coronavirus in Italy, officials had stated that domestic and international airports like Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, all passengers will be monitored<\/a> for the Coronavirus; their body temperature will be measured with infrared thermometers. These checks have been extended to all international passengers, as of 5 February.<\/p>\n

In case a passenger is suspected to carry Coronavirus, the emergency procedure involves immediately removing them from the premises and transferring them to an isolated medical facility. All the individuals they have had close contact with will be monitored as well. All airports in Italy have been equipped with a team of healthcare professionals to carry out these tasks.<\/p>\n

With the entire country on lockdown now, airports have been emptied out. Flights across UK, US and other countries have been cancelled to and from Italy.<\/p>\n

The need for comprehensive travel insurance<\/h3>\n

While you may have purchased or plan to purchase travel insurance before your trip, it is highly recommended that you carefully read the terms & conditions beforehand. This is essential today, particularly if you plan to visit Italy or any other country with confirmed positive cases of the Coronavirus. Reading the fine print beforehand will help determine if your insurance policy covers epidemics such as the Coronavirus since most insurance plans do not cover pandemics.<\/p>\n

Your insurance should ideally offer coverage for:<\/p>\n