1) Italy most tourists from China in Europe, 3.5 million last year
2) Italy was encouraging tourism from China *less than a week* earlier
Undersecretary of State said, "We welcome all efforts..to bring Chinese tourists" on 1/23
3) EU kept borders open
2) Italy was encouraging tourism from China *less than a week* earlier
Undersecretary of State said, "We welcome all efforts..to bring Chinese tourists" on 1/23
3) EU kept borders open
Worth noting media, including WaPo, was calling Italy's travel restriction counterproductive
A republished article from Bloomberg on *March 2* questioned Italy's travel restrictions, saying they "abruptly" cancelled flights, and the decision was "second-guessed"
@GlennKesslerWP
A republished article from Bloomberg on *March 2* questioned Italy's travel restrictions, saying they "abruptly" cancelled flights, and the decision was "second-guessed"
@GlennKesslerWP
@GlennKesslerWP China's state-run propaganda blasted out its meeting with Italian officials on 1/16
"The China-Italy year of culture and tourism" began on 1/20
"The China-Italy year of culture and tourism" began on 1/20
@GlennKesslerWP Italy was also notably not calling for, or practicing, social distancing
Feb. 4: "Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella has suggested residents hug Chinese people to encourage them in the fight against the novel coronavirus."
Feb. 4: "Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella has suggested residents hug Chinese people to encourage them in the fight against the novel coronavirus."
@GlennKesslerWP Dr. Fauci specifically cited open borders as hurting Italy
The EU kept borders open despite the growing crisis, and only closed borders *3 days ago*
scmp.com/news/china/dip…
bbc.com/news/world-eur…
The EU kept borders open despite the growing crisis, and only closed borders *3 days ago*
scmp.com/news/china/dip…
bbc.com/news/world-eur…
