Help, we’re stranded, say 40,000 Britons

TENs of thousands of Britons were desperately trying to escape locked-down Italy last night as UK airlines cancelled all flights to the virus-hit nation.

Up to 40,000 British tourists, students and workers are feared stranded, with some forced to pay sky-high prices for seats on the last few aircraft home. It came as British airways, EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 cancelled all flights to Italy until early april.

EasyJet and Ryanair last night announced a handful of ‘rescue’ flights to repatriate stranded Britons as Italian officials recorded 168 new coronavirus deaths – the biggest oneday jump so far. Ryanair announced ‘rescue fares’ starting at £19.99 but seats for yesterday’s flight from Rome ciampino to stansted were £187 per passenger.

The crisis means thousands of families could see their spring and summer holidays cancelled if the Foreign office extends its advice warning against ‘all but essential’ travel to Italy. The country normally welcomes 3million British holidaymakers every year.

The association of British Travel agents says holidaymakers have no choice but to wait and see how the Italian outbreak pans out. They are being urged to avoid cancelling holidays as they are unlikely to get their money back.

Passengers on flights from Italy to the UK are supposed to be subjected to ‘enhanced monitoring’ by public health officials with strict instructions to self-isolate for two weeks. But many arriving yesterday described ‘no checks’ and said they had no idea they were supposed to quarantine themselves.

Martin Rudd, 64, a retired greengrocer from Essex, said the public hand-sanitiser pumps at stansted airport were empty and there was no up-to-date health advice following his arrival from Pisa. he told Mailonline: ‘I’m in a highrisk group – I’m diabetic and I’ve had a triple heart bypass – so I’m taking precautions.

‘The hand-sanitiser pumps are empty and the only information is on a notice board in the arrivals hall. There isn’t anyone checking to see if people are unwell or taking anyone’s temperature.’

Danilo Riccardi, 51, arrived at stansted yesterday from Naples. he said: ‘There were some signs that said if you are coming from the north of Italy you had to declare to 111.

‘But last night in Italy the situation changed and now it’s all of Italy so that’s old advice.’