Travel between Austria and Italy: Security Levels 3 to 5

On March 3rd, the Austrian Ministry of Health has updated the current situation regarding travel with Italy as follows:

There has been a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Italy.

To date, almost 1,900 confirmed cases and almost 80 deaths have been reported from Italy.

Affected regions are Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Piedmont, Marche, Liguria, Campania, Tuscany, Sicily, Lazio, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Abruzzo, Puglia, Umbria and Calabria.

Various measures are currently being taken, including bans on entering or leaving affected municipalities/regions.

Demonstrations and events have been cancelled, museums closed, and quarantine and active surveillance of those who have had close contact with people affected by the virus has been carried out.

Partial travel warning: security level 5 applies to the whole of Lombardy and the municipality of Vò Euganeo in Veneto.

In the municipalities of Codogno, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano in Lombardy and Vò Euganeo in Veneto, entry and exit bans have been imposed by the Italian authorities.

Warnings against travelling are issued.

Since February 28, 2020, security level 3 has been in effect for the region of Lombardy.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, it is not advisable to travel to Lombardy unless absolutely necessary, according to the BMEIA Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs.

Warnings against travelling to following municipalities:

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, a partial travel warning (security level 5) applies to the municipalities of Codogno, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano in Lombardy and Vò Euganeo in Veneto, as the Italian authorities have imposed entry and exit bans on these.

Checks and examinations of persons who have been in contact with the patients in following regions:

Due to the present confirmed cases of infection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) - currently in the regions of Lombardy, Marche, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, Liguria, Sicily, Tuscany, Lazio/Rome, Abruzzo, Campania and South Tyrol - the Italian authorities, in collaboration with all the institutions involved, have directly initiated checks and examinations of the persons who have been in contact with the patients.

The Italian Government adopted a series of measures to be implemented by the competent authorities for the regions and municipalities affected by coronavirus:

• Entry and exit bans have been imposed on 10 municipalities in Lombardy and one in Veneto.
• Codogno, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo, San Fiorano and Vò Euganeo.
• Persons who have travelled to the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Liguria must report to the local health authority if they - have entered the country from areas where, according to WHO rules, there is a risk of epidemic, or - have stayed in the 11 municipalities affected by the above-mentioned partial travel warning before entering the country If you are affected by this regulation, please contact the Consulate General of Milan for further information.
• All excursions and trips by Italian school classes in Italy and abroad have been cancelled until 15 March.
• Universities, kindergartens and schools in Abruzzo (Roseto and Atri), Campania, Marche, Sicily (Palermo, province of Palermo), Lombardy, Liguria, Piedmont, South Tyrol, Trento, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna and Veneto will remain closed until at least 1 March 2020. Austrian students who are not currently in Italy should check whether the educational institutions are open before returning home.
• In the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, all major public events have also been cancelled, and in Venice and Lombardy private events have also been cancelled until 1 March. This affects sporting and cultural events and, in Lombardy and Veneto, church services, museums and nightclubs. Next Sunday, 1 March, the traditional free entry to Italian cultural institutions (including museums) that are still open will be suspended.
• In the Lombardy Region, shops (except food) in shopping centres will be closed next Saturday and Sunday.
• The Bologna Marathon on 1 March has been cancelled.
• There may be delays and cancellations of trains between Bologna and Milan. Up-to-date information can be found on the website of the Italian State Railways.
• Performances of La Scala in Milan were cancelled for one week, the Cathedral in Milan and St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice are closed.
• At present, there are no restrictions in the Vatican regarding access to St. Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums. However, hygienic measures have been taken; disinfectant dispensers have been placed at the entrances to the Vatican City State. A doctor and a nurse of the Vatican Health Service are on permanent standby for emergencies.

Travellers in the affected regions are advised to avoid large crowds, to follow the instructions of the local security authorities and to strictly observe the hygienic precautions.

On the part of AUA Austrian Airlines, the following statement is made:

Austrian Airlines is in constant contact with all relevant authorities concerning the development of the Coronavirus and monitors the situation closely.

Momentarily we see no reason to believe that the safety of our passengers and crew on the flights to and from Italy are not fully ensured. Thus our connections are operated as planned.

Lufthansa Group offers free rebooking for the following destinations in Northern Italy:

• Milan
• Bologna
• Turin
• Verona
• Venice
• Trieste
• Genova

Tickets must be issued on Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines or Air Dolomiti on or before February 26, 2020 for travel dates between February 24 and March 9, 2020.

On the part of ÖBB Austrian Railways, the following statement is made:

Due to the current situation in connection with the coronavirus (2019-nCoV), all ÖBB train tickets to Italy valid until 8 March 2020 can be canceled free of charge via following "Application for Reimbursement and Recompense" link.

Further information on the coronavirus can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection.