• Call-in Numbers: 917-633-8191 / 201-880-5508

  • Now Playing

    Title

    Artist

    As concern grows over the spread of the coronavirus known as Covid-19, moves are taking place that will impact on travellers.

    In Europe, Italy has the highest number of cases.

    The Foreign Office says the Italian government has ordered the isolation of 10 small towns in Lombardy: Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano. These are mainly southeast of Milan. There is also one town in Veneto, Vo’ Euganeo – south of Vicenza. 

    Download the new Independent Premium app

    Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

    The latest figures report 88 cases in Lombardy and 24 in Veneto.

    The last two days of the Venice Carnival have been cancelled.

    Austria is considering introducing border controls with Italy to try to control the spread of the coronavirus.

    Dozens of readers have contacted The Independent to ask about their rights if they decide to cancel trips to Italy. 

    At present no tourist areas are affected and the Foreign Office does not advise against travel, so holidays and business trips can continue as normal.

    In Barcelona, Mobile World Congress was due to start today but has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

    As a result, there are thousands of bargain holidays – with British Airways selling return flights from Heathrow plus two nights in a three-star hotel in the Catalan capital for just £129.

    In Asia, the Foreign Office is now warning against “against all but essential travel to Daegu and Cheongdo" in South Korea. 

    The government in Seoul has designated the cities as “special care zones” following a growing number of cases of coronavirus.

    The FCO also warns that Covid-19 “may cause more severe symptoms in older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions”.

    The same warning applies to Japan. Meanwhile the US Centers for Disease Control is warning American visitors to Japan: “Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel.”

    The Department of Health has revealed that only nine of the 6,324 people tested for the virus so far in the UK have been found to be carrying it. This represents one-seventh of one per cent of the total. These figures do not yet include the confirmed cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

    Read More


    Reader's opinions

    Leave a Reply