Coronavirus: xenophobic incidents on the rise amid panic in Italy – The National

Coronavirus: xenophobic incidents on the rise amid panic in Italy – The National

Chinese tourists and communities in Italy have reported a rise in xenophobic incidents as panic over the coronavirus outbreak spreads through Europe.. On Tuesday, a mural designed to hit back at rising xenophobia in the country appeared in Rome.. Visiting London on Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: "There is nothing to justify alarm or panic.". Italy declared a six-month state of emergency on January 31 after confirming its first two cases of the virus.. It is the first time a state of emergency has been declared in the country over health concerns.. Shortly after the cases were reported, a sign appeared over the door of a popular tourist spot near the Trevi fountain in Rome barring Chinese people from entering.. Due to international security regulations, all people from China are not allowed to enter this place.. Italy is the most popular tourist destination for Chinese tourists visiting Europe, with around five million visiting every year.. The country is also home to some 300,000 Chinese nationals.. Coronavirus fears could hit the country's tourism sector by as much as €4.5 billion (Dh 18.2 billion) this year, the Istituto Demoskopika research agency said on Tuesday..