A passenger due to fly from London Heathrow to Milan today refused to board a British Airways flight amid fears they would contract the deadly coronavirus.
The flight to Italy this morning was delayed by 15 minutes after one customer changed their mind about flying, a BA spokesperson told MailOnline.
NBC reporter Molly Hunter tweeted today at around 7.45am: ‘At Heathrow, our BA Milan flight is delayed – the captain just announced there are passengers (I count 3) on board who don’t want to travel due to coronavirus.
‘Already pushed back… now re-attaching.’
A spokesperson for British Airways said: ‘As with all our customers, we will always respect their wishes if they change their mind about flying at the last minute. The flight left within a few minutes of its scheduled departure time.’
A passenger on a BA flight to Milan today voluntarily got off the plane amid alleged fears over the coronavirus outbreak in Italy (pictured, BA planes at London Heathrow, 2019)
NBC reporter Molly Hunter tweeted today (pictured) at around 7.45am: ‘At Heathrow, our BA Milan flight is delayed – the captain just announced there are passengers (I count 3) on board who don’t want to travel due to coronavirus. Already pushed back… now re-attaching’
This follows news today that Italy has announced its fourth death from coronavirus as the country imposes drastic measures to contain the outbreak.
An 84-year-old man was confirmed dead today in Lombardy in northern Italy, where 50,000 people have been placed under lockdown, schools have been shut and bars and restaurants have been ordered to close.
The man died in Bergamo after he was taken to hospital with an unrelated illness but was later found to have the coronavirus, Italian media said.
The outbreak has sparked fears that tourists returning from Italy could send the epidemic spiralling across Europe, with many Britons returning to school and work after the half-term break today.
Italy has confirmed more than 160 cases of the virus, by far the largest number outside China, Japan and South Korea.
The wealthy Lombardy region which includes Milan is the worst-affected region, while 22 people have been infected in neighbouring Veneto which includes Venice.
Austria halted trains from crossing the Alps into Italy after two German women reported a fever on board, although they later tested negative.
Authorities in Lombardy and Veneto have banned public events including Masses, while Milan’s famous cathedral has been closed to visitors.
Armed personnel were today guarding the Milan church and stopping drivers in Lombardy while carriages were empty in rush-hour trains.
Italy today has announced its fourth death from coronavirus as the country imposes drastic measures to contain the outbreak. An 84-year-old man was confirmed dead today in Lombardy in northern Italy, where 50,000 people have been placed under lockdown, schools have been shut and bars and restaurants have been ordered to close
Italian soldiers stand outside the Duomo cathedral in Milan, closed over coronavirus fears
Italian armed personnel talk to drivers near the small town of Casalpusterlengo where one of the virus patients died
Empty shelves at Esselunga supermarket in Milan today as people stockpile due to the fear of the new coronavirus
Empty seats on board a rush-hour train in Milan today as authorities battle to contain the first major outbreak in Europe
ITALY – AUSTRIA BORDER: A train stopped by authorities stands on the tracks at the train station on the Italian side of the Brenner Pass on Sunday with 300 passengers on board after two complained of flu-like symptoms. The train was later given the all clear
A map showing the latest numbers of coronavirus cases around the world. Cases have surged in South Korea in recent days
The spread of the virus has also forced the stoppage of high-profile events including the Venice Carnival, Milan Fashion Week and Serie A football fixtures.
After Italy recorded its first death on Friday, the director general of the World Health Organisation spoke of a narrowing ‘window of opportunity.’
Sharp rises in Italy, Iran, and South Korea have brought this window into stark focus as the global infection toll soared to 79,565 today, including over 2,600 deaths.
South Korea today reported another surge in cases, with another 161 patients diagnosed – most of them linked to the secretive religious sect at the centre of the outbreak – bringing the total to 763 of whom seven have died.
The country has also postponed the start of the new football season after officials said the outbreak had ‘entered a serious phase’.
Elsewhere, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Bahrain have confirmed their first virus cases, with all three countries saying their first patients had recently returned from Iran.
An ambulance and police are seen as coaches containing British Diamond Princess evacuees arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital on Saturday night. four Britons evacuated from the coronavirus-stricken vessel tested positive for the illness after 32 passengers from the ship held in Japan arrived in quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.
Director-General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (pictured) spoke of a narrowing ‘window of opportunity’ on Friday
A view of the stopped train at the Brenner railway station at the border between Tyrol, Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy, seen from the Austrian side on Sunday night
A police officer wearing a protective face mask stands next to a masked carnival reveller at Venice Carnival, with the last two days, as well as Sunday night’s festivities, cancelled because of coronavirus. As Italy recorded three deaths, the director general of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke of a narrowing ‘window of opportunity.’
Sumo wrestlers wearing face masks are seen on arrival at Shin Osaka Station ahead of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament on Sunday
The second patient to die was an elderly woman whose death has triggered the closing down of shops, offices and community centres in Casalpusterlengo, according to Italian news agency Ansa (pictured, medical workers outside a hospital in Padua)
The first to die was retired bricklayer Adriano Trevisan, 78, (pictured) who passed away in a hospital in north eastern Italy on Friday evening
The last two days of the carnival in Venice, as well as Sunday night’s festivities, have been cancelled because of an outbreak of coronavirus (pictured, attendee wearing a face mask)
Tourists wear protective face masks in a gondola, due to an outbreak of coronavirus, in Venice