As a result, a number of airlines have been forced to cancel flights and amend itineraries as the number of confirmed cases globally increase.
Many airlines are allowing passengers to cancel or reschedule flights for free, though terms and conditions vary according to the operator.
Ryanair
The Irish budget airline has cancelled all flights to Italy until April 8 2020.
The news came following the decision made by Italian authorities to place the entire nation under a temporary lockdown. Until 3 April, around 60 million people will effectively be under quarantine.
Britons who are returning from the country must also go into a 14-day period of self-isolation.
Ryanair issued a statement saying: “All affected passengers have received email notices today informing them of these flight cancellations.
“Passengers looking for repatriation can obtain a free move to an earlier Ryanair flight operating up until midnight Friday, March 13.
“Affected passengers will be able to choose between a full refund or a travel credit that can be redeemed on Ryanair flights in the next 12 months.”
easyJet
Following the severe measures taken in Italy, easyJet has also announced it will be cancelled flights to ad from Italy under April 3.
However, the airline will be stepping up to provide “rescue flights” for travellers who find themselves stranded in Italy following the news.
An easyJet spokesperson said: “Following restrictions implemented by the Italian authorities, easyJet is now in the process of cancelling all of its existing scheduled flights touching Italy between March 10 and April 3 2020. We will be operating some rescue flights in the coming days.
“We are advising affected customers of their options by email and SMS which includes the option of rebooking or requesting a refund.
“We will be operating rescue flights for passengers wishing to travel for essential, work, health or repatriation reasons to and from Italy.”
A list of rescue flights will be posted on the company website.
Customers who find themselves in Italy can book onto these flights via the easyJet contact centre, or simply by turning up at a relevant airport on the day of departure.
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