Health Minister Roberto Speranza yesterday ordered ski areas in Italy - which have been closed since March 2020 and reopening of which had previously scheduled for today - to remain closed until at least 5 March because of concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

The faster-spreading UK variant of the virus now accounts for nearly 18% of new infections in Italy.

Ski area owners and managers in Lombardy, Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and Veneto were understandably dismayed by yesterday's announcement, and its timing. The government had confirmed the 15 February date for reopening as recently as last week.

Ski resorts in Switzerland remain open, while those in Austria are open to locals only, and lifts in France remain closed until at least the end of February.

In eastern Europe, some ski resorts in Poland and the Czech Republic plan to reopen this week.