Italian ports are fully operational despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the country, which has infected at least 97,000 people and killed 10,779 others, making Italy the second- worst-hit country in the world. 

“In complete compliance with the measures adopted by the Italian Government, having the primary objective of protecting public health due to the current medical emergency, the Italian Port Association wishes to clarify that operations in ports are carried out with adequate measures,” the port association said in a letter shared by BIMCO, the largest of the international shipping associations.

“Ports are, therefore, fully operational with all their regular services guaranteeing complete functionality of all those offices dedicated to control and verification (i.e. Port Authority, Customs, Harbour Master, Health department offices and so on),” the letter added.

The Italian Port Association also noted that all restrictions enforced by the Italian Government — closing its ports to all cruise vessels, both foreign and domestic ones, until April 3 — are referred only to the cruise sector.

The restrictions do not apply to cargo transport.

“The measures adopted by the Government in no way restrict the transport of cargo in the country,” the Port Association said.

“The precautionary obligation of the so-called "Free Sanitary Practice" issued by the Local Office of Maritime Health remains in force. This document authorizes ships to berth, and all Italian ports are equipped and ready to apply any new measures deemed necessary by the Italian Office of Civil Defence, without compromising cargo operations,” it added.