In light of the recent news it is normal that the questions we are seeing most often are whether Trieste is safe during the coronavirus outbreak. Or even: should I cancel my trip to Italy because of the coronavirus?
Ultimately, the choice to travel is a very personal one, this is true in any situation. However, as expats who live in Trieste, we are here to say that life is normal and it is business as usual in the bora city.
But has the current coronavirus outbreak and the week-long cultural hiatus imposed by the FVG region had any impact on the entrepreneurial life of Trieste?
We interviewed Eugenia, the general manager and the heart and mind behind Antico Caffè San Marco (via Cesare Battisti, 16).
Antico Caffè San Marco, February 28th, 2020
How has this past week been?
Eugenia: We’ve had a lot more students here in this past week, the so-called orphans of university’s classrooms. We’ve also had quite a number of tourists who come here for lunch and dinner. We believe in the normality and in the common sense.
What do you think is going to happen next?
Eugenia: Reason will win over instinct. Eventually, people will need to realize that the true victims of the coronavirus are those healthy female and male entrepreneurs. I believe in our country which has the highest number of cases in Europe because it has been the most aggressive in testing for the virus – one of the reasons the cases have been uncovered in the first place. Italy meant well but got the short end of the stick.
What would you like to let Trieste people know?
It is possible to have a normal life even in the times of the coronavirus. Let’s leave the masks for the sick who actually need them.
Eugenia and Alex (son of a Greek expat living in Trieste) have been running Antico Caffè San Marco since 2014.
