Australia raises risk level for travel to Italy over coronavirus outbreak

The Australian Government has raised its travel advice for the Northern regions of Italy and is now advising Australians planning to visit the European country to "exercise a high degree of caution".

Two young women, both wearing a respiratory mask, walk in the streets on February 25, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Europe

On its latest update on the Smartravel website, the Australian Government has upgraded the risk level in the Italian regions that have been classified as center of coronavirus infection. 

“Due to a heightened risk of sustained local transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) in parts of northern Italy, we now advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the regions of Lombardia and Veneto. We continue to advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in the rest of Italy”, the website reports.

Smartraveller alert for Northern Italy. Source: smartraveller.gov.au

Italy has confirmed cases of COVID-19, including deaths. The latest toll stands at 11 deaths, all of them elderly. The number of Iifected cases is over 320 as the virus spreads outside Italy.

An Italian woman, who was diagnosed with the virus after a visit to Milan, is said to be the first case in Spain.

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