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Coronavirus Hits Ducati and Piaggio
W
ell, the companies haven't
been infected with Corona-
virus, but Italy's top two motorcy-
cle manufacturers have taken the
unprecedented steps of closing
their museums to the public as
the country grapples with an
outbreak of the virus.
The north of Italy has been hit
especially hard with the out-
break, with the highest number of
reported cases in Europe. Thus,
both Ducati and Piaggio have
closed their respective museums
to the public until the virus is
contained.
"We inform you that, following
the instructions received by the
President of the Emilia Romagna
Region and by the Ministry of
Health, all visits to the Museum,
the Factory and the Physical
Education Laboratory in Motor-
bike, are suspended from 24
February 2020 until 31 March
2020 included," a statement on
Ducati's website read.
As for Piaggio, who are located
further south in Pontedera, they
said, "We apologize with our
visitors. Because of the spread
of disease COVID-19 (also known
as Coronavirus) and accord-
ing to authorities' instructions,
Piaggio Foundation has decided
to temporarily suspend guided
tours and activities in the Piaggio
Museum. Since Piaggio Museum
receives hundreds of visitors from
all over the world, it will remain
closed from February 25 as a
precautionary measure and a
sign of respect towards the local
community and the employees.
"As soon as the medical emer-
gency is called off, the Museum
will immediately open to the
public." CN
If you're planning
on going to Italy
this month, you
won't be able to
get into the Ducati
museum.
