MSC Cruises has banned anyone who has travelled to, from or through any areas of Italy that have been quarantined, from boarding its ships, as the coronavirus outbreaks outside of mainland China continue to rise.

Italy has become Europe’s worst-affected country, with more than 300 cases and 11 deaths due to the virus, named Covid-19.

The quarantined areas in Italy are: Casalpusterlengo, Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo, San Fiorano and Vò.

In a statement, the cruise line said: “We have further enhanced our precautionary health measures for all guests and all crew who are due to travel on any of our cruises to ensure the health and well-being of everyone on board every one of our ships.

“None of the ports visited by any of our ships in Italy nor any of the related excursion destinations are anywhere near these municipalities or neighbouring territories.

“Everyone’s health and safety on our ships is our top priority and we have had no cases of coronavirus on board any of our ships.”

The new restrictions are in addition to those on people who have travelled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.

Passengers and crew embarking and disembarking at ports of call will be “frequently checked by thermal cameras for fever symptoms”.

Sailings on board MSC Grandiosa and MSC Opera, the line’s two ships in the Mediterranean, are going ahead as planned and the company said that the majority of its fleet is currently in South America and the Caribbean.

The Foreign Office has advised British passengers against all but essential travel to the 10 small towns in Lombardy and one in Veneo.

Yesterday (26 February) ABTA updated its travel advice as a hotel in Tenerife was quarantined. 

An ABTA spokesperson said: “UK health authorities are providing detailed advice for specific destinations and locations.

“Travellers are advised to read the FCO travel advice for the country they are travelling to, which includes entry requirements and a link through to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) TravelHealthPro website that provides specific travel health advice for countries.”