However, Italy’s government is reluctant to suspend the Schengen borderless system.
“There’s no ground for an initiative of this kind, at the moment,” said PM Giuseppe Conte, adding that a temporary reintroduction of border control will have a devastating impact on the country’s economy. “What are we going to do with Italy, a lazaretto?” he added.
Meanwhile, Greek Education Minister Nikis Kerameos has decided to suspend all planned educational excursions to Italy.
Pressure is mounting from opposition parties too, as right-wing Lega leader Matteo Salvini calls for borders to be “shut down”.
Contacted by the daily La Stampa, an EU source pointed out that suspending the Schengen agreement would isolate Italy, as opposed to just being a way of just protecting the county.
“At the moment we cannot exclude that some country, perhaps among those that border on Italy, could make such a request,” the EU source said.
But in a TV interview, French health minister Olivier Veran said that closing the borders with Italy “would make no sense, as a virus doesn’t stop at borders.”
He also added that there’s no actual epidemic in Italy, since health authorities have, on the contrary, taken steps “to prevent an epidemic from occurring.”
The government issued some emergency measures, imposing fines on those who enter or leave outbreak areas, which consists of ten towns with a population of around 50,000. So far, three people have died.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has commended the Italian authorities for their swift and efficient action, adding that the EU executive keeps following the situation very closely and stands ready to provide support.
Greece on alert
Meanwhile, Greek Education Minister Nikis Kerameos has decided to suspend all planned educational excursions to Italy.
Following an extraordinary ministerial meeting yesterday night (23 February), neighbouring Greece decided not to take any additional measures, but to focus on raising awareness and informing its population, as well as on the high readiness of the health authorities.
Scientists have said that there is no issue of quarantine or epidemiological surveillance for pupils already in Italy, as they have not visited the affected areas.
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