Amidst travel ban, India’s Italian shooting coach to fly to Rome

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 3

The travel plans of India’s skeet coach Ennio Falco, an Italian national, have put a question mark over his availability for the ISSF World Cup, which starts in New Delhi on March 16. Falco himself said there is no reason to worry despite the rising fears over the coronavirus outbreak across the world, and the increase in the number of positive cases in Italy.

Falco, who is employed with the Italian Army, is scheduled to travel to Rome tomorrow as he has been summoned to be checked for the virus. As per his plans, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games gold medallist is to travel back to India on March 12 to join and supervise India’s skeet team.

Travel advisory

However, a revised travel advisory by the Government of India today put a spanner in the works and there is a worry that he may not be allowed back on his return from Italy.

“All regular (sticker) visas/e-visa (including VOA for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan issued on or before 03.03.2020 and who have not entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect,” the Indian government advisory said, adding: “Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy Consulate.”

Falco, thus, would need to reapply to return to New Delhi.

‘Will know in 7 days’

“I am in the army so when I will land from India they will test me (for the virus). In seven days I will know if I am affected or not,” Falco told The Tribune.

“I am sure that I am not infected and I will be in India for the World Cup. I flew in on the 21st (February) to India. My family is OK, my daughter is well, and my wife is OK. So I am certain there will not be a problem (in returning),” the 52-year-old added.

When told about the latest Indian government advisory and the possibility of him being kept in quarantine for 14 days on his return, Falco said it might not be required as he is from the south of Italy and the coronavirus outbreak has affected the north of the country.

“I hope I can show them my (medical) examination that I will now take in Italy,” Falco said. “It is important to note that I come from the south and the big issue is in the north... Milan (the most affected area) is there, all the villages there have been shut and there is army to control. I am a thousand kilometres away in south and till today not one case has been detected there.”

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