How life in Italy has been hit by coronavirus outbreak
From the economy to travel and education, here's how Italy is currently being affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Wide-ranging measures to halt the spread of the virus have affected the lives of tens of millions of people in Italy, with schools closed and cultural and sporting events cancelled.
As of Wednesday morning there are more than 320 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy and 11 deaths connected to the outbreak.
Since Saturday, 11 towns in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, thought to be where the outbreak began, have been under lockdown with shops and public areas closed and police roadblocks preventing people from leaving or entering the area without a permit.
MAP: Which parts of Italy are most affected by coronavirus outbreak?
While such drastic measures have not been taken elsewhere in the country, the outbreak has had an impact on life across Italy, including in areas where no cases have been reported.
Here are the other ways Italy is currently being affected by the outbreak.
Photo: AFP
Travel
The only travel restrictions put in place by Italian authorities are around the “red zone” - the worst-hit 11 towns in Lombardy and Veneto.
No government has yet imposed a travel ban on Italy and neighbouring European countries have confirmed that borders will remain open.
However, France's junior transport minister on Tuesday recommended people avoid travel to the parts of Italy hit by the outbreak.
Italy's airports, train stations and borders remain open as usual.
READ ALSO:
The only systematic flight restrictions are on direct flights between Italy and China, which were suspended at the end of January.
Passengers arriving at Italian airports can expect to have their temperature checked by health workers, a precautionary measure that has been in place since the end of January.
Authorities in the southern region of Basilicata, which has not had any reported cases of coronavirus, have ordered that anyone arriving from northern regions hit by the outbreak must undergo a 14-day period of quarantine or isolate themselves at home.
Passengers at Milan's central train station on Monday. Photo: AFP
Economy
Measures to stem the spread of infections in the industrial north are expected to have economic repercussions.
Economists say that Veneto and Lombardy alone “represent between 25 and 30 percent of Italian GDP.”
The Italian economy was already sluggish before the outbreak, and it must now contend with plunging stock prices in Milan, cancelled trade shows, and the expected blow to tourism.
Industry representatives are warning of severe effects for Italian hotels, restaurants and other businesses, which make a significant contribution to Italy's economy.
Photo: AFP
Hotels in Milan fear around a quarter of all bookings will be cancelled this week, trade body Federalberghi. More fallout is expected in the coming weeks.
Trade shows have been postponed, including the Milan Furniture Fair, which was scheduled for the end of April but has now been pushed back to June.
READ ALSO: How the coronavirus outbreak is affecting Italy's economy
Education
Local authorities have closed schools for at least a week in some regions, including Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria.
However not all regions have taken this step and the Italian government stated on Tuesday that media reports that it would shut down all of the nation's schools were false.
Not all schools in Italy are closed because of #coronavirus.
This map shows current school closures today, plus the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in those areas. (black border means schools are closed, red border means they're reopening.) https://t.co/sIfx1J7wOa
— Clare Speak (@ClareinItaly) February 27, 2020
The government has however suspended all school trips and exchange programmes until March 25th.
Sport
Several upcoming football matches in Italian Serie A and Europa League will be played in empty stadiums amid coronavirus fears.
The country's rugby and volleyball federations have postponed fixtures set to take place next weekend.
Milan's San Siro stadium. File photo: AFP
Culture
The Venice carnival was cut short on Sunday and other major events on the cultural calendar have been cancelled over the past week, including the Ivrea orange festival and performances at Milan's famed opera house La Scala.
Late February and early March usually sees busy carnival events held across the country, but most have been cancelled by local authorities as a precaution, even in areas where no cases of coronavirus have been confirmed.
Milan Fashion Week was closed to the public and Bologna's Children's Book Fair has been postponed.
Production of the latest "Mission: Impossible" film starring Tom Cruise in Venice has also been halted.
In the worst-hit regions, Lombardy and Veneto, local authorities have banned events of any nature that attract crowds and closed museums and monuments, including Milan cathedral, which is off limits to tourists, although an area has been made available for those wanting to pray.
Find all The Local's coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy here.
A closed bar in front of Milan's Duomo. Photo: AFP
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Wide-ranging measures to halt the spread of the virus have affected the lives of tens of millions of people in Italy, with schools closed and cultural and sporting events cancelled.
As of Wednesday morning there are more than 320 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy and 11 deaths connected to the outbreak.
Since Saturday, 11 towns in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, thought to be where the outbreak began, have been under lockdown with shops and public areas closed and police roadblocks preventing people from leaving or entering the area without a permit.
MAP: Which parts of Italy are most affected by coronavirus outbreak?
While such drastic measures have not been taken elsewhere in the country, the outbreak has had an impact on life across Italy, including in areas where no cases have been reported.
Here are the other ways Italy is currently being affected by the outbreak.
Photo: AFP
Travel
The only travel restrictions put in place by Italian authorities are around the “red zone” - the worst-hit 11 towns in Lombardy and Veneto.
No government has yet imposed a travel ban on Italy and neighbouring European countries have confirmed that borders will remain open.
However, France's junior transport minister on Tuesday recommended people avoid travel to the parts of Italy hit by the outbreak.
Italy's airports, train stations and borders remain open as usual.
READ ALSO:
The only systematic flight restrictions are on direct flights between Italy and China, which were suspended at the end of January.
Passengers arriving at Italian airports can expect to have their temperature checked by health workers, a precautionary measure that has been in place since the end of January.
Authorities in the southern region of Basilicata, which has not had any reported cases of coronavirus, have ordered that anyone arriving from northern regions hit by the outbreak must undergo a 14-day period of quarantine or isolate themselves at home.
Passengers at Milan's central train station on Monday. Photo: AFP
Economy
Measures to stem the spread of infections in the industrial north are expected to have economic repercussions.
Economists say that Veneto and Lombardy alone “represent between 25 and 30 percent of Italian GDP.”
The Italian economy was already sluggish before the outbreak, and it must now contend with plunging stock prices in Milan, cancelled trade shows, and the expected blow to tourism.
Industry representatives are warning of severe effects for Italian hotels, restaurants and other businesses, which make a significant contribution to Italy's economy.
Photo: AFP
Hotels in Milan fear around a quarter of all bookings will be cancelled this week, trade body Federalberghi. More fallout is expected in the coming weeks.
Trade shows have been postponed, including the Milan Furniture Fair, which was scheduled for the end of April but has now been pushed back to June.
READ ALSO: How the coronavirus outbreak is affecting Italy's economy
Education
Local authorities have closed schools for at least a week in some regions, including Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria.
However not all regions have taken this step and the Italian government stated on Tuesday that media reports that it would shut down all of the nation's schools were false.
Not all schools in Italy are closed because of #coronavirus.
— Clare Speak (@ClareinItaly) February 27, 2020
This map shows current school closures today, plus the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in those areas. (black border means schools are closed, red border means they're reopening.) https://t.co/sIfx1J7wOa
The government has however suspended all school trips and exchange programmes until March 25th.
Sport
Several upcoming football matches in Italian Serie A and Europa League will be played in empty stadiums amid coronavirus fears.
The country's rugby and volleyball federations have postponed fixtures set to take place next weekend.
Milan's San Siro stadium. File photo: AFP
Culture
The Venice carnival was cut short on Sunday and other major events on the cultural calendar have been cancelled over the past week, including the Ivrea orange festival and performances at Milan's famed opera house La Scala.
Late February and early March usually sees busy carnival events held across the country, but most have been cancelled by local authorities as a precaution, even in areas where no cases of coronavirus have been confirmed.
Milan Fashion Week was closed to the public and Bologna's Children's Book Fair has been postponed.
Production of the latest "Mission: Impossible" film starring Tom Cruise in Venice has also been halted.
In the worst-hit regions, Lombardy and Veneto, local authorities have banned events of any nature that attract crowds and closed museums and monuments, including Milan cathedral, which is off limits to tourists, although an area has been made available for those wanting to pray.
Find all The Local's coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy here.
A closed bar in front of Milan's Duomo. Photo: AFP
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