In 2020, the (COV-19) coronavirus will be negatively impacting the tourism industry in a major way. The US government has already issued a warning to Americans, advising them against taking any nonessential trips to Italy, a popular tourist destination.
Here’s the rest of the story…
On 3/1/2020, Colleen Barry of the AP penned the following article: “Virus cases in Italy soar 40%; US urges Americans not to go”
Excerpts:
“The number of people infected in Italy with the new coronavirus rose 40% to 1,576 in just 24 hours, Italian authorities announced Sunday (3/1/20), adding that 5 more infected people had died. The news came as a new U.S. government advisory urged Americans not to travel to the 2 Italian regions hardest hit by the virus.”
“That brings the number of deaths in Italy to 34 since cases of the virus exploded in the country on Feb. 21.”
“Italian health authorities say the increase is expected, since it takes as long as two weeks for containment measures to take effect.”
“The U.S. travel advisory cited quarantines set up in 10 towns in Lombardy and one in Veneto, with a combined population of 50,000 people, as well as the ’’the level of community transmission of the virus.″ It followed an earlier warning late Friday (2/28/2020) for Americans to avoid non-essential travel to all of Italy.”
“Tourism officials call the U.S. warning covering all of Italy potentially calamitous to the industry, which represents 13% of gross domestic product in a country famed for its world-class museums, archaeological sites, art cities and natural beauty.”
“More than 5.6 million Americans visit Italy every year, representing 9% of foreign tourists and the second-largest national group behind Germans.”
“Lombardy, which includes Italy’s financial capital of Milan, accounts for just over half of the cases while Veneto and Emilia-Romagna have 18% and 20%, respectively. All three regions have closed schools for the time being. In Veneto and Lombardy, closures also have hit museums, theaters, cinemas and most public offices, emptying cities like Milan, where many companies have permitted office workers to telecommute.”
“Earlier Sunday (3/1/2020), the French community church in Rome, St. Louis of the French, closed its doors to the public after a priest was infected with the new virus.”
“The church in the historic center of Rome is famous for three paintings by the Baroque master Caravaggio, making it a destination for tourists and the faithful alike. A sign on the door Sunday noted in French that the church had been closed as a precaution by the French Embassy for both Masses and tourist visits until further notice.”
The Religious Information Service news agency reported that the church was closed after a 43-year-old priest who had returned to Paris was hospitalized after being infected by the coronavirus. The service carried a statement by the archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, who said the priest, who had been living in Rome, returned to Paris by car in mid-February, and tested positive for the virus on Friday. He was in good condition, Aupetit said.
It was the first church in Rome closed by the virus. Churches in much of Veneto and Lombardy have closed their doors under widespread measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
Added notes on 3/1/2020:
As per the 3/1/2020 BBC News report, “Coronavirus: Staff force Louvre closure over infection fears:”
Excerpts:
“The Louvre museum in Paris has remained shut amid concerns over France’s coronavirus outbreak.”
“Staff at the Louvre – the most visited museum in world – voted “almost unanimously” not to open on Sunday, a union representative said.”
“On Saturday the French government banned all indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people, in an effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.”
“France has reported 100 cases of the Covid-19 disease. Two people have died.”
What happened at the Louvre on Sunday?
“Queues formed outside the museum’s iconic pyramid in the rain, but the doors remained shut.”
“A statement on the museum’s website said a meeting was reviewing the “public health situation linked to Covid-19 prevention measures” announced by the government.”
“The previous day, an emergency cabinet meeting banned large gatherings “in confined spaces”, as well as open-air events such as Sunday’s Paris half-marathon.”
Union official Christian Galani told AFP news agency: “The meeting was arranged to discuss the concerns of staff”, adding management representatives were unable to convince workers to go to work.
“The Louvre is a confined space which welcomes more than 5,000 people a day,” Mr Galani said. “There is real concern on the part of staff.”
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
- WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? A simple guide
- WAYS TO PREVENT CATCHING IT: How to wash your hands
- WHERE ARE WE WITH A VACCINE? Progress so far
- A VISUAL GUIDE TO THE OUTBREAK: Virus maps and charts
- WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MY HOLIDAY? Your rights as a traveller
What other gatherings have recently been affected?
“In France all public gatherings have been banned in parts of Oise, the area north of Paris at the centre France’s coronavirus outbreak.”
“But the mayor of Montanaire, one of the towns affected by the ban, defied the move and allowed a market to go ahead on Sunday.”
“Cancelled events across France also include the final day of the Paris Agricultural Fair and a fireworks display in the southern city of Nice – both were due to be held on Sunday.”
“Switzerland has also banned large gatherings. The General Motor Show and the Basel Carnival are among the events affected.”
“In Italy, Europe’s worst-affected country, five Serie A football matches are not being held this weekend.”
“In rugby, Ireland postponed men’s and women’s Six Nations games against Italy in Dublin next weekend.”
“And Qatar has cancelled the opening MotoGP race of the season, which was due to be held on 8 March, because of travel restrictions on visitors from Italy, a centre of the outbreak.”
Gronda Morin 
I suspect this will impact tourism world-wide for a while, anyway. Today, I read that the Louvre in Paris is closed until further notice, as well. Hugs!
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Dear Jill,
Thanks a million for the update on the Louvre. I updated this post to include this information. Closing the Louvre is no small event.
Hugs, Gronda
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Ah … my pleasure, Gronda! Yes, that is a big deal when they close the Louvre. My next concern is that there will be shortages in food supplies. I hope I’m wrong. Hugs!
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Good advice, i was in Parma & Milan last week, the streets were deserted. Limit travel to and from major cities, tourist destination for the time being. Take care Gronda. ❤
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