Milan, regions of Lombardy and Veneto were shut down amid the spread of the coronavirus in Italy. Authorities cancelled the Venice Carnival, known for its artistic masks, in an attempt to contain what has been called Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak.
In Italy there have been a reported 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus and six confirmed deaths, according to Bloomberg. The source of the virus coming into the country has yet to be identified. Strict quarantine procedures have been implemented in hotspot regions near Milan and Venice, according to the BBC.
Around 50,000 people cannot enter or exit various towns across Veneto and Lombardy for the next two weeks. Those who want to do so will need special permission to gain access or to leave these areas. Schools have closed, businesses have ceased operations and sporting events have been cancelled in response to the outbreak.
A train en route to Austria from Venice was halted as two passengers were suspected of having the virus. The pair tested negative and the train was allowed to continue across the border, according to The Local.
An Alitalia flight from Rome was being held in Mauritius on Monday 24 February. Around 70 people were not allowed to disembark as they were from the affected areas in Italy.
In France, passengers on a bus from Milan to Lyon were also not allowed to leave as their driver was hospitalised for displaying similar symptoms to those of the coronavirus.
According to the BBC, Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala, said: ‘As a precaution I think that the schools have to be closed in Milan. I will propose to the president of the region to enlarge the precaution to the entire metropolitan city area. It is just a precaution, we don’t want to create panic.’
According to the Telegraph, Italy has the third highest number of on-land cases, South Korea has the second with 833 cases and China has the most with 77,345.
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