Italy seals off seaports to migrants as country is no longer ‘safe place’ amid COVID 19
ITALY has officially sealed off its seaports to incoming migrants as it claims it can no longer provide a safe space for those fleeing their native countries.
The Italian government has declared its seaports “unsafe” due to the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the country. It will no longer authorise the landing of migrant rescue boats until the emergency is lifted.
The new decree was issued on Tuesday evening as the government explained: “For the entire duration of the health emergency, due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Italian ports cannot be classified as ‘safe places’ for the landing of people rescued from boats flying a foreign flag.”