Italian officials canceled the remainder of Venice Carnival as they confront what is now the worst outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe, the BBC reports.
Cases jumped from just six last Friday to more than 160 by Monday in Northern Italy, with three reported deaths.
About 50,000 people cannot enter or leave several towns in Veneto and Lombardy for the next two weeks without special permission. Even outside the zone, many businesses and schools have suspended activities, and several sporting events have been canceled.
We’re near the exclusion zone beside #Codogno, the epicentre of #Italy’s #Coronavirus outbreak. Police say if we cross here, we’d need to quarantine and couldn’t leave for some time. A resident told me by phone just one fruit/vegetable shop is open in a town of 16,000 people. pic.twitter.com/lQUnE4GEDT
— Mark Lowen (@marklowen) February 23, 2020
The 11 towns under quarantine include: Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo, San Fiorano, and Vo’Euganeo.
Is it safe for U.S. citizens to travel to Italy?
The short answer: yes.
The outbreak, so far, has been contained and the country’s international borders remain open.
“At this time, CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to Italy,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in its latest travel notice.
For tips on how to protect yourself from disease transmission during your trip to Italy, visit The Local.
