A New Zealander on a Contiki tour in Europe says there were no health checks at the Italian border as he left the country hours before the entire nation went into lockdown over the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
Today, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus would be extended across the whole of the country.
New Zealand man Jack Milner-George said the viral outbreak had affected his group's itinerary, and their planned two nights in Venice were canned in favour of an extra night in Rome.
They left the country by bus, driving straight through northern Italy without stopping.
But he said they were surprised there weren't more stringent checks at the border, or temperature tests.
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"You know, it could have been a bus full of people who were infected and we're not - everyone is fine but no-one knows. Literally anyone could have gone through," he said.
Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has upgraded its travel advice for Italy, advising against all non-essential travel.
Within the country, people are being told they should stay at home unless they had solid reasons related to work, health or other special needs. Commuting to work would still be allowed.
School and university closures have been extended until 3 April. The government also adopted a decree to stop all sporting activities, including Serie A football matches, the prime minister said.
MFAT also has do not travel warnings in place for both China and Iran.
It advises against all non-essential travel to Italy and South Korea.
