Italy: Alitalia to resume international flights from Milan June 11 amid COVID-19 easing /update 33

Event

Alitalia is due to resume international flights from Milan in July as the country eases restrictions introduced due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it was announced on Thursday, June 11. As the airline resumes 52 international routes to 37 airports it will operate up to 60 percent more flights than in June.

Italian authorities lifted restrictions for inter-regional travel as well as travel to and from EU countries from June 3 amid a fall in the number of new COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, individuals will also be allowed to travel to and from the independent states of San Marino and Vatican City. Individuals traveling to Italy are not required to self-quarantine upon entry. Intra-regional movement restrictions were lifted on May 18. Churches, shops, and restaurants were also allowed to reopen from May 18, providing social distancing measures and hygiene rules are adhered to.

Manufacturing, construction, and other industries were previously allowed to reopen from May 4. The government has stated that schools will likely remain closed until September.

As of June 11, authorities have confirmed 236,142 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 34,167 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.