11:34

Greece, one of the countries in Europe which has not yet recorded a case of coronavirus, has unveiled emergency measures after mounting alarm over the steep jump in cases in Italy.

In the event of an outbreak, the centre-right government said it would enforce draconian steps to contain the disease, including restricting travel on any form of public transportation.

Air, sea and rail services would also be limited to prevent the virus spreading.

Under the emergency act, authorities will have the right to use private clinics and medical services, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters.



Citizens suspected of having the virus could also be placed in quarantine to prevent infections spreading.

The measures were announced as officials banned school trips to Italy, saying schoolchildren currently in the country would be returned to Greece with immediate effect.

Given its proximity to Italy, Greece has stepped up surveillance of ports with regular ferry connections to the neighbouring EU state.

However, infectious disease experts fear the worst should Covid 19 arrive in Greece, with the country’s austerity-hit public health system still reeling from almost a decade of budget cuts.

Meanwhile, a man suspected of displaying flu-like symptoms upon arrival from Italy was declared healthy by doctors in the western port city of Patras on Tuesday.