Live
- Karnataka bypolls: Cong leading, celebrations in Channapatna; BJP concedes defeat in Sandur
- India-EFTA trade pact to drive $100 bn investment, boost 99.6 pc of exports
- Karnataka bypolls: Cong leading in all 3 segments, Kumaraswamy’s son trails by 18,029 votes
- MahaYuti bounces back in Vidarbha after dismal show in Lok Sabha polls
- Priyanka Gandhi will win with huge margin, says Telangana CM Revanth Reddy
- Three paramedics killed in Israeli airstrike on Lebanon
- 321 arrested in Tunisia for drug trafficking, criminal offences
- Bihar bypolls: NDA leading on three seats, BSP on one
- Irish legend David Harte hopes to use HIL earnings for 'new family home and daughters’ education'
- Japanese govt approves 250 billion USD economic package to ease prices
Italy closes ports to cruise ships
Italy has closed its ports to foreign cruise ships and suspended the operation of its own services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rome: Italy has closed its ports to foreign cruise ships and suspended the operation of its own services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The transportation ministry said late Thursday that Italian ships already at sea will have to return to port and undergo tests on all crew and passengers. Those not positive for COVID-19 will be asked to self-isolate and to monitor their health.
The notice runs until April 3. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Thursday that all Italian restrictions -- including the shutdown of most businesses and a ban on public gatherings -- will have to be extended well into next month. Italy has a thriving cruise industry that employed 120,000 people and was Europe's largest in 2017.
Several cruise ships have experienced coronavirus outbreaks that saw them blocked from various ports during the virus crisis. The Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined at a port in Japan was under the command of Italian captain Gennaro Arma.
