With up to 16 million people under quarantine to curb the spread of Covid-19, Etoa has asked for immediate relief for the tourism industry. 

It says attractions and museums should be encouraged to offer refunds or credit notes to tour operators with pre-paid tickets, and has asked the government to suspend restricted driving zones for private coaches. 

Etoa has asked for the latter change because private cars present a lower risk of infection compared with public transport, and businesses trying to continue operations need “all possible support”.

“Operators are facing unprecedented short-term financial harm; it is essential that we ensure we have the capacity to support recovery when demand returns,” said Tom Jenkins, Etoa’s chief executive.

“Measures introduced to limit coach access are often controversial – in current circumstances they are manifestly self-defeating. Local and national government must act now to suspend them.”

The coronavirus has killed more than 350 people in Italy, up from just more than 230 yesterday (8 March).