Rail traffic halted in Austria over fears of coronavirus spread

(Patria) – Austria halted all rail traffic on Sunday after receiving information that two passengers showed symptoms of the coronavirus.

The Austrian Ministry of the Interior announced that it stopped a train traveling from Venice before it crossed the border after the Italian side informed that two passengers had a fever.

The train is currently at the Brenner Pass and it is not certain when it will receive permission to continue its journey.

Earlier, three people (over 80 years old) in Venice died from the virus infection. In Italy, the infection is spreading rapidly, especially in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto, where 152 cases have been recorded so far, the highest number outside of China.

Public places including schools and stadiums have been closed, cultural events have been canceled, and authorities closed the famous Venice Carnival before its official end.

For now, it is considered that there is no reason for panic in Austria. So far, about 180 people have been tested, with negative results.