Italian lockdown

Daisymae you're right - if the Italian govt have quarantined a particular area, then it's absolutely senseless for any planes to fly in or out irrespective of where they have come from or are going. It's either lockdown or it isn't, and frankly it isn't. Lockdown means completely closing the borders between regions - that's not even possible so the spread will continue - but not so fast.

I've just read that they think the virus in Italy is a new strain which has mutated and is much more aggressive. And yet we're allowing people from Milan (under quarantine) to pour into the UK with no checks.

I have an Italian friend living in Milan, she and her partner are both very worried. A few weeks ago she was playing it down and saying it was all under control and it would be fine, now she realises she spoke too soon. Yesterday she was in such a panic she was actually suicidal and honestly when she described how bad it was there I could totally understand.

I can't believe how relaxed some people are here, it's like they can't see from what is happening in Italy and what happened in China and that this is not just some simple flu illness.

One friend of mine in the USA, who I will admit has really gone overboard with worrying, has been self isolating himself and his family for the last few weeks. He thinks the longer people can protect themselves from being exposed to this virus then the better. I know not everyone is in a position to stock up for a few weeks and self isolate but when you are older or have health issues then maybe it's a good thing.

I read somewhere that air pollution in China, Iran and Italy is much worse than in other countries and that this has contributed to the large no. of cases in those countries.

I spoke to a business acquaintance in China today. He laughed and said, 'Yes, we built a hospital in 10 days. What is Italy going to do?'

He has a point. They may have been the epicentre, but they clamped it down FAST. Only 40 new cases in the WHOLE of China today.

The rest of the world appears to be allowing unrestricted travel anywhere regardless.

An Italian doctor has just been on the news asking people to do as little as possible in an effort to contain. As a country we should learn from their experience.

^^ How does it make any sense to have plane loads of people flying in from an area that is in quarantine?

Plane loads of people aren’t flying in from an area that’s in quarantine, because they’re in quarantine...

Agreed polnan that people are entering the country freely so there is no hope of containing it. We just have to look out for ourselves.

I would not travel anywhere now, why risk it? These travellers are so selfish.

Eldest DS is going skiing this week near the Austria/Italy border, he doesn’t seem overly concerned and I’m trying not to be ? !!

WHAT LOCKDOWN? and yes I am shouting, BBC News or some news on tv says quite a few planes have landed in Gatwick, regardless of so called Lockdown.. and yes, this Government is too slow... so many people come from other countries, and no testing even!

We are due to travel by coach down to Rome and further south at Easter. Our holiday is still going ahead and will do so unless the foreign office says we can't go. I am not unduly worried about the virus but what is the point in travelling if everything is going to be shut when we get there and you can bet your life we will told to self isolate when we come back.

I think you will find that's it's only essential travel to northern Italy now as of today.

Blue sapphire, I am in the same boat, we are due to fly to Venice on 21 April, so we are just having to wait and see what happens and cannot make any alternative plans as our insurance will not cover us.

Out government are way too late in taking action that could have any impact. How does it make any sense to have plane loads of people flying in from an area that is in quarantine?

I have relatives in this area and am due to visit end of April. I won’t go if it’s still in lockdown, but unless the flights are cancelled will lose the money ( it’s quite a cheap flight so no big deal and will go another time). My relatives are ok and just staying at home etc. The bars and cafes are still open but you have to sit a metre apart and get served at the table not at the bar. However, flights are still coming to the U.K. so there’s nothing to stop them getting on a flight here, which seems a bit odd.

My daughter , before the virus had booked and paid for a holiday in Italy but not until July. She is hoping things will have improved by then . Fingers crossed for her

We have had people flying all over the place. I just don't understand our government. If it is as bad as they say, no one should be going anywhere.

I suspect by April things will be a whole lot worse.

Foreign Office advice now is that travel to Lombardy not advised till 3rd April. So I still can't cancel with a refund as my holiday is not until the last week of April. Will contact tour company.

Just watched the news and the advice is for everyone to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. We live in the Lazio region which at present is not as badly affected as the northern regions but who knows what tomorrow brings.

Italian doctors have warned others to get ready for the surge in the need for intensive care beds. It seems like 10 per cent of cases need intensive care and there are younger patients. On the 26 February Italy had 400 cases, which represented a 25 percent rise in one day. This is where we are heading without drastic action.

We are booked in Mid May for Lake Como and last week had to pay the full balance due. We had no option otherwise we'd have lost our deposit. However the tour company has confirmed in writing that should the it be cancelled we will receive a full refund.

I cannot see it going ahead. I'd be a bit wary anyway because both of us are in a vulnerable age group and have several medical conditions.

My friend lives in one of the affected towns. She tells me the virus has mutated and people other than very old are becoming extremely ill. She knows what she’s talking about, her family is full of medical professionals. She says ambulances are blaring past non stop and they are quarantined until April and that it’s becoming like a sci fi novel. I’m all for not panicking but our what’s app chat did were me.

What's happened that Northern Italy has so many ? Yet China where the population is enormous have been able to contain it to the best of their ability ?