Coronavirus fears leave Venice canals empty
Not a tourist in sight on the Venice canals on Sunday (March 1) as Italy grapples with the coronavirus flare-up.
Italy has registered more than 1,100 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the contagion came to light in wealthy northern regions on Feb. 20 and at least 29 people have died.
Local authorities suspended the final two days of the famous Venice Carnival and a planned three-week shoot for Tom Cruise's new "Mission: Impossible" film has been postponed due to the outbreak.
Italy's tourism federation, Assoturismo, said up to 90% of hotel and travel agency bookings had been cancelled in Rome and up to 80% in Sicily for March, as school trips and conferences across the country were called off, and foreigners opted for caution.
