All Italian Ski Resorts Now Closed Due to Coronavirus

Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals were slated to be held later this month before they were cancelled over coronavirus fears. pxfuel photo.

Italy just ordered all ski resorts to shutter their doors and halt their lifts as the national threat of coronavirus has inundated all aspects of public life. The country has had 463 deaths from the disease thus far, making it the most heavily affected country outside of the epicenter, China. 

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What began as reduced opening hours at restaurants, bans on public gatherings, and travel restrictions in only some regions has now grown to include closures of all ski resorts, nightclubs, libraries, museums, theaters, and schools until at least April 3rd. Even marriages, funerals, and baptisms are forbidden. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has largely copied the drastic containment measures used to contain the virus' spread in China in response to Italy's nearly 9,000 confirmed cases.

This unfortunately spells a premature end of this ski season for all ski resorts across the country. In addition, the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals that were scheduled for March 16-22 in Cortina d’Ampezzo were cancelled due to fears of the spreading coronavirus. The outbreak continues to grow daily, with confirmed cases now surpassing 
100,000.