The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has now advised against all but essential travel to Italy as a country-wide lock-down goes into effect due to Covid-19.

The Italian government has restricted movement across the entire country to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus. There are now more than 9,000 confirmed cases in Italy and 463 deaths. Public gatherings and sports events have been banned, along with religious ceremonies and funerals, while schools, universities, museums and gyms are closed.

Italian citizens have been advised to stay home where possible, with movement within the country restricted unless people have a valid work or family reason for travelling. Passengers departing and arriving on flights have been told they will have to justify their journeys, while people at train stations face temperature checks.

Many airlines have cancelled flights to Italy since the shut-down began in the country's northern regions, including Wizz Air, Norwegian, Easyjet, British Airways, American Airlines and Ryanair, among others.

Although the FCO said British nationals may be able to leave the country without restriction, it will become increasingly difficult to do so as more airlines cut capacity, particularly since the collapse of Flybe.

Meanwhile, Israel is now requiring everyone arriving into the country to self-quarantine for 14 days and Moldova has reportedly banned all foreigners from Covid-19-infected countries from entering by plane.