Should I cancel my trip to Italy?

As the number of cases of the Chinese virus increases ItalyTourists planning a trip to the country are understandably concerned, writes The Local. However, there is no need to panic.

Authorities have confirmed 1,700 cases of coronavirus, 34 of them fatal. The government is urging tourists not to give up on planned trips and stresses that much of Italy is now unaffected by the virus.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio notes that out of 7,000 Italian cities, the epidemic is evident in just over ten.

However, there are settlements in Italy that should be excluded from the travel program. These are 11 small towns quarantined: Codonho, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maléo, Somalia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo, San Fioran.

The city of Vo Euganeo, Veneto region, has been declared a “red zone”. These areas are not close to major cities or tourist centers.

In the north, strict measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus. Numerous events were canceled, museums, theaters, cinemas, churches, libraries, and attractions were closed.

During a visit to Italy, experts advise to go south.
Until now, the only southern region where anticoronavirus measures can be felt is Basilicata. Here, people who have traveled to affected areas of northern Italy are encouraged to stay at home in quarantine for 14 days.

Earlier, representatives of the Italian tourism sector predicted that the country in the next quarter will be visited by 22 million fewer tourists than before the outbreak of the virus. Possible damage - 2.7 billion euros.

Large-scale cancellations affected almost all tourist destinations, including Rome and Sicily, with up to 90% of bookings cancelled.

Source: turizm