THE government has warned against “all but essential travel” to 10 towns in Italy as coronavirus cases exceed 300 across the country.
Here is everything you need to know if you’re travelling to Italy.
Follow our coronavirus live blog to stay up to date with the latest news and updates.
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What is the travel advice for Italy?
Italy has confirmed more than 300 cases of coronavirus, with 11 people dying from the virus.
The UK government has updated their travel advice for Brits, warning against all but essential travel to the 10 towns that have been isolated due to the outbreak.
They advise: “The FCO advise against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy (Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano) and one in Veneto (Vo’ Euganeo), which have been isolated by the Italian authorities due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast that tourists who have travelled to the regions already should “self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms”.
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Can I cancel my flights to Italy?
If you are due to fly to one of the affected regions which has been warned against, airlines might now offer to change your flights free of charge.
Although, because the government advice only concerns specific towns and not airports, airlines are not obliged to.
Regions which are deemed safe to travel, such as Venice and Milan, will not be affected by the new government advice, with airlines unlikely to allow you to change your flights without a fee.
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British Airways are allowing passengers to delay their travel but are not allowing refunds.
In social media, they explained: “Anyone travelling to Northern Italy and from 25 February-02 March can delay their travel anywhere up to 31 March.
“You can also change to travel either to Zurich or Geneva. If you were wanting to refund your booking then it would be as per the fare rules of your ticket.”
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EasyJet and Ryanair are yet to update their travel advice for tourists, so passengers are recommended to contact the airlines.
Venice Carnival was forced to end early following the travel restrictions, museums have been closed until further notice and the government is planning to increase health checks on gondolas and public transport across the city.
Fashion designer Giorgio Armani streamed his show at Milan Fashion Week instead of allowing visitors to watch the catwalk due to coronavirus fears, and the Duomo cathedral in Milan has been closed.
A video shows tourists having their temperatures at Venice Airport, as well as at Milan Airport
We’ve also explained the latest travel advice for Brits heading to Thailand following the outbreak of coronavirus.
The US government has advised travellers to “reconsider” cruises to Asia due to a number of cruise ships infected with coronavirus.
Here is the latest update for holidays to Bali and Malaysia as well.
