Venice 03/20 - concerns...

Hi Joe. :O)
This thread might be helpful?

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/corona-virus

Thanks for posting the link. Poor job on my part searching.

I’d go until flights are stopped. Your risk at this time is very low.

That's OK, Joe. It sometimes takes awhile to get the hang of fruitful searches on this site. :O)

I am always of the opinion -- take precautions and go. If we hesitated for every little risk, we would never go anyplace. Now, I will avoid China for awhile but beyond that, I would go to Europe tomorrow.

I really think right now you are fine. Risk is so low, lower than catching the flu. 14,000 people have died in the U.S. from flu related symptoms this season.

We are going in September and it’s crossed my mind wondering how things will be by then.

Seems the virus thread under General Europe has been taken down. Not sure if coincidence or not.

Per multiple news outlets, now 15 new cases in Lombardy Region in northern Italy. No very far from Venice.

I'll be watch this closely and will post updates.

Stay safe.

As I posted in the other thread, I wouldn't let this stop me from travelling in Europe. I would of course take extra precautions such as washing hands more frequently, etc., but would not wear a mask. Anyone who has contracted the disease or is symptomatic will be quarantined, so they won't be wandering about on the streets.

Anyone who has contracted the disease or is symptomatic will be quarantined, so they won't be wandering about on the streets.

Well, that's not really true......only those who anyone knows has contracted the disease will be quarantined. The problem is that sometimes no one knows that someone has contracted the disease until later. The signs are often mild, and it could sometimes easily be mistaken for a cold. That's one of the big problems, in my opinion.

Still, wearing a mask won't really help - they're designed to keep the wearer from spreading germs, not to keep an uninfected person from catching them.

To be realistic, there is not going to be an all clear signal. The best one can hope for is more information to place this risk in context with all the other risks we all face. Today, in response to Europe's first corona virus deaths, 50,000 people around Lodi in Lombardia are being asked to stay home and events and gathering places are closing. This is scary, but actually reassuring in that there will be a strong response to any outbreaks in Italy. In Liguria - which has no cases - they have established and publicized a monitored voluntary quarantine protocol as well as provisioned special ambulances in case there is an outbreak. That is more reassuring than any public response than I've seen in the US to date.

It's crossed my mind as well. Our trip isn't scheduled until mid-June, so hoping it dissipates well before then. I've pre-paid for a few hotel stays and would hate to lose it all due to global pandemic.

My husband and I have a trip planned for mid-June. We are watching the situation closely and have purchased trip insurance in the unfortunate event we will not be able to travel. However, here is a thought provoking Twitter post from a molecular biologist turned science journalist on the virus:

https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1231195871343149056

So much fear mongering on forums, websites and
YouTube. Hard to tell who to beleive.

As for our travel plans, we have pre-paid airfare. Reached out to TAP Air on possible refund or credit. Hotel reservations needs to be canceled 10 days in advance. After that, one night is charged..

Now wait and see....

This is a pretty good report on the Coronavirus situation and transportation controls in Italy from about 8 hours ago:
https://www.thelocal.it/20200205/should-you-be-concerned-about-the-coronavirus-in-italy?fbclid=IwAR32ZlY1GFZpFX8HnT-v-MjG8eBvYxulLeWGoG4JDTET2lwqiCCpZAMs56Y

Chiara,

That's a good point. When I posted to this thread last night, I only knew of three Covid-19 cases which were quarantined in Rome so that alone would not have been a deterrent to travelling in Italy.

As new information becomes available, my position can change and the news this morning about the situation in Lombardy and Veneto was a significant change to what I knew last night.

Based on the current status this morning, if I were planning a trip to Italy in the near future, my position would be "watch & assess" closer to departure time. The Italian authorities seem to be implementing a proactive and extensive effort to contain the disease, and hopefully that will mean only short term disruptions.

With some towns "locked down", I'd probably be equally concerned with restrictions in activities after arriving in Italy (ie: Museums, restaurants and other facilities closed, trains on reduced schedules, etc.).

I am also watching this situation due to my plan to visit Milan in March. I doubt my plan will change, hopefully the virus will be contained without too much disruption or closures.

But FYI, there is some train disruption already. from Trenord site “STRENORD EN REAL TIME LINES 22/02/2020 06: 00 We inform you that on the disposition of the Health Authorities, from Saturday 22 February the trains will not stop at Maleo, Codogno and Casalpusterlengo stations. In particular: - the trains of the Milan - Piacenza line do not stop at Codogno and Casalpusterlengo; - the trains of Mantua - Cremona - Milan will not stop in Codogno. The service is totally suspended on the Pavia - Codogno and Cremona - Codogno lines. The replacement bus services scheduled from official timetable... The ticketing activity at the Codogno and Casalpusterlengo stations is also suspended.” (Translation by Google.)

Stay healthy and enjoy the planning and the trip!

....... 14,000 people have died in the U.S. from flu related symptoms this season...... I really don't it is smart to throw around numbers without a source. The CDC reported,as of Jan 25, an estimated that 8,200 have died this season with 140,000 hospitalized. Still not a small number but it is from the CDC. Have seen numbers as high as 40,000 world wide but all are estimates.

Last year, the flu killed about 60,000 people in the US -- we sometimes tend to brush it off, but it can and does kill a lot of people.

Frank,

The updated version Now. I will start linking where I get my info, good point. its up to 16k now.

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/1300-people-died-flu-year/story?id=67754182

Sad. Carnival cut short. Seems it's only getting worse.
Venice airport scanning passenger temperature.

As time goes by, seems likely we're going to have to postpone. Lord only know, when this virus will go away/under control.

If thing don't get too bad in the U.S. - I've never been to Mount Rushmore... Nice drive from Florida.

Guess I'll get started on plan B....

Been calling Tap Air most of last week, finally got through tonight. I had started refund process on their website, just wanted to confirm with an agent.

Our flight was scheduled to depart from MIA on Saturday, 03/14 - it was canceled.

Pretty bummed out. We've talked about visiting Venice for years. Finally got an opportunity to go, covid19 got in the way. Now we watch the various live cams on YT... (ghost town)

Seems many people in Florida seen to just ignore it. Large crowds on Ft. Lauderdale beach, Daytona Bike Week, South Beach. Orlando should start seeing a decline in visitors during to parks closing.

IIRC, 39 new cases from Sat to Sun. Now I'm waiting to see how many more tomorrow morning.

'Till next time.

Be safe everyone.

xjfan, I'm sorry your trip was cancelled so disappointing. Maybe you can reschedule this summer to October. I went to Venice last year, October was great - no acqua Alta, but warm, not hot. Hang in, you'll get there.