Italy is on high alert after the outbreak of coronavirus.
The Italian government is preparing to reassess in detail the situation in the next few hours and, in co-operation with Civil Protection Department, to take any new measures to counter the spread of the virus, following the third fatal case.
The municipality of Milan has already announced that the Milan Cathedral will be closed for protective purposes while the liturgies in the city’s Catholic churches will be canceled.
The bishop of Piacenza asked the faithful not to kiss each other as a sign of Christian love at the end of the Sunday Mass and to receive Holy Eucharist in the hand, not on the tongue.
According to many Italian media, the temporary closure of the Vatican museums, one of the largest museum in Europe, is also being examined.
The Veneranda Fabbrica, in agreement with the Metropolitan Chapter, as a precaution, provides:
– the closure to the public of @DuomodiMilano on 24 and 25 February 2020 for #coronavirus alert
– The prayer area will remain regularly open according to the usual methods of access. pic.twitter.com/TyMf0gdcHx— Duomo di Milano (@DuomodiMilano) February 23, 2020