Venice faces new threat from virus after reeling from floods

 Still reeling from effects of major flooding just a few months ago, Venice faces a new emergency: threat of a new

fragile lagoon city, rewned for its unique cultural and artistic herit, is alrey grappling with effects of worst flooding in a half-century at end of last year. It caused more than 1 billion euros in dam to residents and businesses, hurting iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica and La Fenice atre.

Italian government is taking extraordinary measures to contain two main virus outbreaks that hit rrn regions of Veneto and Lombardy, two areas that toger produce more than 30% of Italy’s ecomic output.

As of w, Venice — whose historic center has around 53,000 residents and more than 30 million tourists a year -- has registered at least four cases of COVID-19, with 71 in whole of Veneto — worst-hit region after Lombardy, where 10 towns are on lockdown.

Neighboring Lombardy still has most cases with at least 258, according to latest official data. Twelve people have died so far in Italy, all of m elderly.

Venice local hoteliers’ association ted Wednesday that in immediate aftermath of virus outbreaks, hotel reservations saw a drop of about 50%. numbers were rebounding for Carnival, with 95% occupancy reported just last weekend, only to have m drop by 40% when officials took precaution — unprecedented in modern times — of canceling last two days of celebrations.

‘’We understand fear that is spreing but at same time we are aware that our health care system is holding and we believe that im of efficiency of our area will win out,'' said Daniele Mitto, hotel association's deputy director.

Venice city councilor for ecomic development Simone Venturini said that ecomic impact of new virus outbreak should worry national authorities as much as impact on public health.

In city of Carnival, virus threat forced visitors to observe strict precautions. Regional authorities also closed museums in city — along with schools and or official offices — until March 1.

Many tourists visiting Venice's central St. Mark square enjoyed much free on would what rmally be a crowded plaza, while restaurants, hotels and souvenir stores counted ir losses. Below ir Venetian masks, y also wore white sanitary masks.

“We can see square is relatively empty. If I can say, from my 39-year work experience, re is a very heavy fall, around 40% compared to previous years,” said Roberto Nardin, a Venice gondolier.

Italian government has staunchly defended its handling of crisis, even as it ackwledges alarm over growing number of cases — more than any or country outside Asia.

Following outbreak escalation, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte has raised specter of an ecomic recession, as Italy’s ailing ecomy struggles with moribund growth, massive debt, and high youth unemployment. Ecomic experts and business associations predict virus spre to take a heavy toll on Italy’s output, w seen falling between 0.5% and 1% this year, causing loss of up to 60,000 jobs.

While re are measures in place to contain outbreak, authorities also warned against unjustified panic. However, finding balance between appropriate measures without repelling tourists and breaking festive atmosphere remains a challenge.

This year’s succession of damaging events has also left some Venetian store owners desperate. Flavio Gastaldi said he is considering closing souvenir store he has run for 30 years. Although business has highs and lows, his rent does t.

“At this point we won’t recover anything (from losses he has endured this year),” he said. “We will return keys to landlords soon.”

But t all in Venice were rey to let virus worries dampen ir party.

Yi Hui Ang, a doctor from Singapore who lives in Australia, recently walked around historic center wearing a typical 18th-century costume she me herself, as well as a sanitary mask.

“I did have a dinner booked and everything, but that was canceled,” she said. “But I’m still going to wear dress.”

Eva Mazens, a 7-year-old French tourist also disguised for Carnival, was even bolder.

“I couldn’t care less about virus. All that matters is party,” she said.