"From Tuesday, 17 March, Terminal 1 of 'Leonardo da Vinci' airport will be temporarily closed. All check-in operations, security checks, and baggage claims will be carried out at Terminal 3 which remains operational", the statement reads. "In addition, the passenger terminal of G.B. Pastine di Ciampino airport will be closed from Friday, 14 March. General Aviation activities, those of state institutions and cargo aviation, will remain unchanged".
Rome Closes Passenger Terminals of Ciampino, Fiumicino Airports From 14 and 17 March
© REUTERS / CIRO DE LUCA
The authority explained the decision was taken because many airlines that usually operate with the two airports in the capital have cancelled flights amid the spread of COVID-19.
"The runways of the two airports will remain fully accessible and will not undergo operational changes. The passenger terminals of the Fiumicino and Ciampino airports will resume regular operations as soon as the current emergency is over", the statement added.
Italy previously had to put entire areas on lockdown after the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe. According to recent data, there are at least 12,000 confirmed cases of the infection, while the death toll is 827.