Update 10/03/2020: Late on 9 March the Italian government expanded its notified restrictions to the entire country. Following this the FCO updated it’s guidance to advise against all by essential travel to Italy. These restrictions are currently in place until 3 April however reference should be made to the FCO – Foreign travel advice – Italy web page for updates. Per the Italian government restrictions, all ski resorts in Italy will be closing. If you have planned travel to Italy you should contact your travel company and travel insurance company.
Northern Italy – Coronavirus update
On Sunday 8 March, the Italian government announced an expansion of the restrictions in the northern Italian region of Lombardy and some other Italian provinces until 3 April 2020.
The expanded restrictions limit the movement of people into and out of these areas, which includes some ski resorts. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to a list of restricted (lock down) areas. More information including a list of these areas can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
Additionally, other ski resorts have made the decision to stop operating during the same time period, including all those resorts in the Aosta Valley.
Snowsport England has two courses operating in Northern Italy between now and the end of the winter.
- Skilful Skiing Course starting 21 March 2020 in Artesina. Halsbury Ski / Snowsport England will be contacting the participants registered for this course regarding options.
- Alpine Snowsport Course Leader course in Aosta starting 4 April 2020. Course organisers Interski have announced they will no longer be running any trips or courses this If you are signed up for this course Interski will have notified you by email.
We have also taken several enquiries about the Artemis BSA Inter-Schools Championships that were due to take place in Pila on 16 & 17 March. Unfortunately, this event has had to be cancelled. Please see an update from BSA on the GBSki website: https://www.gbski.com/index.php
Please also remain aware of the current advice from the FCO/ Public Health England, that anyone who has recently visited the restricted areas (lockdown areas) in Northern Italy should self-isolate for14 days on their return to the UK whether they demonstrate any symptoms or not. Those who have recently visited Northern Italy (the area north of Pisa) outside of the lockdown areas, should, if they develop any flu like symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days and call 111 immediately. Please be alert to any emerging symptoms and if in any doubt call 111. Information from the FCO for travellers returning from Northern Italy:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#lockdown-areas
More information from Public Health England on Self Isolation:
General travel – Coronavirus update
Snowsport England has also been receiving questions from members regarding future travel on ski holidays and other events in the mountains. We would suggest always speaking directly to your tour operator, accommodation provider, airline or race/event organiser. Also carry on checking the advice on the FCO website which gives country-specific Coronavirus information:
- France – click here
- Italy – click here
- Switzerland – click here
- Austria – click here
- Spain – click here
- Norway – click here
- USA – click here
- Canada – click here
Where bookings have been made for overseas travel, the specific Terms and Conditions of these bookings should be referred to should you wish to vary or cancel your booking. In line with travel and insurance industry practice, unless the FCO states that travel to a certain region should be avoided, then the booking Terms & Conditions regarding alteration or cancellation will apply.
As we have seen in the past weeks, this is a fast developing situation and your primary source of information should be the official government web sites:
General advice for travellers in relation to Coronavirus from the FCO: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
More information from the NHS about the symptoms of Coronavirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
More information from Public Health England on Coronavirus :
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public