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The World Health Organization sent a mission to Italy, saying Monday it was deeply worried about the sudden increase in cases in Italy, as well as in Iran and South Korea. On Tuesday, the WHO warned countries they must be ready for the fast-spreading coronavirus to be “literally knocking at the door.”

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier, speaking at a news briefing in Geneva, said officials from the organization were meeting in Rome to discuss “pretty strong” measures taken in Italy, Reuters reported.

Italy is trying to contain the spread of the virus in its prosperous northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, which account for around 30% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Italy’s economy is already expected to grow only 0.5% in 2020, according to previous Bank of Italy forecasts, and the growth rate is now expected to take a hit.

Earlier Tuesday, the Italian government’s deputy economy minister said the European Union could give Italy some leeway on its budget commitments and borrowing given the crisis and its expected economic impact.

Almost a dozen towns in Lombardy and Veneto are under lockdown, public events have been canceled and schools, universities and bars closed; Venice’s annual carnival was also shut down early.

In Naples on Tuesday, religious authorities suggested that churchgoers refrain from exchanging the sign of peace, shaking hands or embracing during Mass.

Italian magistrates announced they were opening a probe into the costs of face masks and hand gel that had skyrocketed in the wake of the outbreak, Reuters reported.

With Venice and Milan popular destinations for tourists and business trips, countries around the world — from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia — have warned against travel to the north or whole of Italy. The U.K. advised anyone returning from the affected areas to quarantine themselves for 14 days. The European Commission has advised its own staff not to travel to Lombardy, advocating the use of teleconferences instead.