Everything moves very fast in Italywhere the number of cases of coronavirus could still be counted on the fingers of one hand on Thursday, and where the count exceeds 200 patients on Monday morning. Faced with this sudden spike, the Italian authorities placed a dozen towns and cities in quarantine Codogno, Casapusterlengo, Castiglione d'Adda, Maleo, Fombio, Bertonico, Castelgerundo, Somaglia, San Fiorano, Terranova dei Passerini and Vo Euganeo. Or more than 50,000 people affected by restrictive measures such as the closure of commercial activities (except for basic necessities), and the suspension of activities in companies in the zones concerned. Above all, it is no longer possible to enter or leave the eleven towns concerned without prior authorisation. In addition to this quarantine, the spread of COVID-19 affected a number of Italian symbols: with cancellations affecting the Fashion Week Milan or the Serie A championship, while the carnival of Venice closed its doors ahead of schedule.
Interviewed during France 2's 20 Heures, the new Minister for Health Olivier Véran on Sunday rejected the idea of closing the Franco-Italian border: " it wouldn't make sense, because a virus doesn't stop at borders "he says, assuring " working towards a European solution ". The Minister also gave assurances that measures were being taken to increase both diagnostic capacity and the number of hospitals capable of handling any patients. Concern is nevertheless growing in border areas, according to the letter sent to the Prime Minister by Eric Ciotti. The MP for Alpes-Maritimes calls for " the immediate implementation of an emergency plan for the Alpes-Maritimes department and the rapid adoption of all health measures and restrictions necessary to halt its spread".. Eric Ciotti also asked " the mobilisation of the department's hospital establishments and tighter border controls" .
The situation is also critical in South KoreaThis is the second most affected country after China, with almost 800 cases, seven of them fatal. Here too, the situation changed dramatically at the end of the week, particularly in Daeguin the south of the country. As a result, the company Korean Air has even decided to cease operations to and from the airport in the country's fourth largest city until at least 28 March. Asiana has also stopped its flights".
Italian skies affected by strikeWhile the spread of the coronavirus in Italy is making the headlines, it is another phenomenon that could have a more concrete impact on Italian airports this week. A strike by air traffic controllers a forcé Alitalia to flight cancellations. This 24-hour strike, scheduled for 25 April, resulted in over 300 cancellations on Tuesday alone at Alitalia. Collateral cancellations are also scheduled for 24 and 26 January. The flights affected are listed on the Alitalia website. |
