Italy expands lockdown

ALL of Italy has now been placed in lockdown to halt the spread of COVID-19, with travel restricted and sporting events suspended until 03 Apr.

The move sees measures adopted in northern Italy (TD yesterday) expanded across the country, with Italy’s 60 million people ordered to seek permission for essential travel.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has called on residents in a televised address to be responsible and “stay home”.

The BBC is reporting that only those with a valid work or family reason that cannot be postponed will be permitted to travel and passengers departing on flights, except temporary visitors, will have to justify themselves, as will all those arriving by plane.

Cruise ships are also reportedly forbidden to dock at various ports and there are controls at train stations to check temperatures.

Topdeck said it will reroute any trips which included Italy as part of its itinerary to alternative destinations until 03 Apr.

The company will continue to operate trips on the ground in Europe, with all other trips scheduled to operate as normal, and in line with government travel advice.

Prior to the nation-wide change, a number of operators had already suspended operations in Italy, with Globus yesterday temporarily suspending its Italy itineraries through Apr.

Globus had also halted China through to Jun.

Select itineraries including Israel are also being suspended through Apr, due to short-term travel access restrictions.

Currently Collette Tours has also cancelled all tours in Italy until the end of the month (TD

09 Mar), as has Trafalgar and Costsaver (TD 02 Mar).