Austria stops train from Italy due to suspected coronavirus infections

[Gert van der Hoek]

febr 23 2020

VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria has denied entry to a train from Italy on suspicion that two travellers might be infected with the coronavirus, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

“Tonight a train on its way from Venice to Munich was stopped at the Austrian border,” the interior ministry said.

The Italian State Railways had informed Austrian train operator OBB that there were two people with fever symptoms on the train, the ministry’s statement said.

The train was now waiting at the Brenner Pass on Italian territory. “The further procedure is currently being discussed together with the Italian authorities.”

It is unclear when the train will be able to continue on its journey, an OBB spokesman said.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

VIENNA — Austria’s railway company says it has stopped all train traffic to and from Italy over virus concerns.

 

[kiwibird]

https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/national_news/18256110.austria-stops-trains-italy-virus-fears/

Austria has halted all train traffic to and from Italy after suspicions that a train at its southern border with the country had two passengers possibly infected with coronavirus on board, authorities said.

Austria’s interior ministry said it had been informed by Italy’s railway company that two people had a fever and stopped the train at the Brenner crossing before it could enter Austria.

The Eurocity 86 train was coming from Venice en route to Munich in southern Germany.

Three other trains were also stopped, including two regional trains and a night train from Nice to Moscow, a spokesman for Austrian Federal Railways told The Associated Press.

Spokesman Robert Lechner could not say how long train service would be interrupted.

Italian state railways said it did not immediately have additional details

...snip

I understand from multiple other news reports that the passengers with fever were two German ladies and initial tests show they were not infected with the Covid-19. Passengers were allowed to disembark.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.ansa.it/canale_saluteeb...agi_c099a9dc-e9fa-4b08-b439-14868b36f305.html

...Meanwhile, the blockade of trains between Italy and Austria on the Brenner Pass has been lifted. The Austrian railways Obb reported on Twitter. "From tomorrow you will be able to travel across the Brenner Pass. Anyone who does not wish to travel to Italy can cancel their ?BB ticket for Italy valid for 24 February 2020 for free", say the railways. Austria had blocked a train after two passengers were found to have had a fever....