THE DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs has issued a ‘do not travel’ warning for the whole of Italy – the highest possible level of advisory.
Irish citizens were earlier advised to avoid non-essential travel to the country after Italy went into lockdown last night in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The development puts Italy in the same category as countries like Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. The advice for China, where Covid-19 first developed, remains at the ‘avoid non-essential travel’ level – with a ‘do not travel’ warning in place for the province of Hubei.
Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte last night extended internal travel restrictions imposed in the north to the entire country last night.
This unprecedented measure, applying to more than 60 million people, came into force after the country reported a death toll from the virus of 463. There were 9,172 confirmed cases in Italy as of last night.
Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair have announced the full suspension of their flight schedules both into and out of Italy.
The latest Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advice states that:
Travel between Italian regions, provinces and comuni (townships) is now prohibited with the exception of necessary travel for work purposes or emergencies.
It adds:
Irish citizens in Italy who are obliged to move around, are advised to carry a self-declaration form, available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior, that indicates their motive for doing so. This form may be requested by police. Everyone in Italy is required to have this form if requested.
At present, airports are open, and tourists returning home are permitted to travel to airports and to leave the country. Tourists should also complete this self-declaration form before travelling to the airport.
The elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, have been advised by the Italian government to remain indoors.
Speaking this morning, before the advisory level was upgraded, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney confirmed the DFA was advising citizens to avoid travelling to the entire country.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to raise the issue of flights and EU-wide responses at an emergency video conference of the European Council at 4pm today.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Coveney said the government “can’t control” banning air travel from Italy.
“The vast majority of confirmed cases have travelled to northern Italy and have brought it home with them… Really, the focus it’s about containment. But I think it’s inevitable that we move onto the delay phase,” he said.
He said other public gatherings, aside from the St Patrick’s Day parades which have been cancelled, will follow advice issued “based on the public threat”.
“We need to listen to experts. This response needs to be expert driven rather than [politicians] going on a solo run.”
The quarantine measures extended to all 60 million people in Italy came into effect today.
Here are the main points of the government decree signed last night that brings the restrictions into effect in Italy until 3 April.
Don’t travel (unless it’s urgent)
From today, the movements of Italy’s population of 60 million are severely limited. Travel is only allowed for “urgent, verifiable work situations and emergencies or health reasons”.
People who have tested positive for Covid-19 must not leave their homes for any reason, while anyone with a fever or respiratory symptoms are strongly encouraged to stay at home and limit social contact, including with their doctor.
To avoid work-related travel, public and private companies have been urged to put their staff on leave.
Gatherings cancelled
The latest decree prohibits “all forms of gatherings in public places or sites open to the public” – going further than the rules that went into force over the weekend in large parts of northern Italy.
Sporting events of all levels and disciplines were cancelled, stopping play in the top-flight Serie A football league.
High-level professionals training for top national sports events and competitions organised by international bodies, such as the Olympic Games, may go ahead without spectators. All athletes, coaches and managers will undergo health checks.
Swimming pools, spas, sports halls and wellness centres must not operate, and ski resorts across the country have been shut.
Venues shuttered
To encourage people to stay in, bars and restaurants are only allowed to open between 6am and 6pm, and only if it is possible to keep a distance of at least a metre between customers.
All museums and cultural venues are closed, as well as nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and casinos, which have been shut since the weekend.
While supermarkets will remain open, large shopping centres and department stores must close on public holidays and the day before public holidays.
School’s out
Schools and universities are closed, and all exams have been cancelled.
Religious institutions will stay open, as long as people can stay a metre apart – but ceremonies such as marriages, baptisms and funerals are banned.
With reporting by AFP, Gráinne Ní Aodha and Daragh Brophy.
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