The novel coronavirus may have originated in China, but it’s since spread to more than 30 countries across the world. The novel coronavirus may have originated in China, but it’s since spread to more than 30 countries across the world.

During a press briefing on Monday, Angelo Borrelli, head of the country’s Civil Protection agency, confirmed that five people have died and at least 219 others have been infected with coronavirus in Italy.
The Italian government has since taken “extraordinary measures” in a bid to control the outbreak, including a ban on public events in at least 10 municipalities and suspending the Venice Carnival. So is it still safe for travelers to visit Italy?
Borrelli said at Monday’s press conference that it remains safe to travel to Italy, because the outbreak remains in a contained area and has not spread outside of it.

However, the towns of Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano in Lombardy and Vo’ Euganeo in Veneto are under lockdown.

This means around 10,000 people are banned from leaving or entering the affected areas without authorization. Meanwhile Italy’s Health Minister Roberto Speranza also announced the closure of public buildings and limited transport in these zones.
“We ask for the cooperation of all citizens. It’s not an easy moment. But, with the data we have today, we can still hope to limit the contagion,”

The US State Department has urged its citizens to “follow Italian health official guidance and avoid government-designated affected areas,”.

Any travelers who are currently in these particular areas of Lombardy and Veneto are urged to follow the instructions of local authorities.