Is Italy safe? Latest coronavirus travel advice on Venice and Milan as country's cases hit 3,089 with 107 killed

ITALY has reported 3,089 cases of coronavirus as numbers continue to rise, while 107 have died from the virus.

As regions remain on lockdown and tourists urged to self-quarantine if they have visited, here is the latest travel advice if you are going to Italy, including to Venice and Milan.

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What is the travel advice for Italy?

Italy has confirmed more than 3,000 cases of coronavirus, over 100 people dying from the virus.

The region of Lombardy has been hit the worst with but cases have been reported in all but one region in Italy.

The UK government's travel advice for Brits warns 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)."

They also add: "The government of Italy introduced extraordinary measures that allow regions to implement civil protection measures in response to coronavirus, including the isolation of the towns above.

"These measures were extended on March 1 and include school closures and changes to sporting fixtures in the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna, as well as in provinces closest to the outbreaks."

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have raised the warning to Level 3, recommending all but non-essential to Italy.

Many Brits who return from the infected regions are being told to self-quarantine for two weeks, although are advised to get in touch with health officials and employers.

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".



Can I cancel my holiday to Italy?

If you are due to fly to one of the affected regions that 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 that are deemed safe to travel will not be affected by the new government advice, with airlines unlikely to allow you to change your flights without a fee.

You should contact your travel insurance provider to see if you are covered.

British Airways are allowing passengers to delay their travel, and have cancelled a number of flights to Milan due to a drop in demand.

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