British Airways said it has cancelled its flights to Italy on Tuesday after the country implemented a lockdown to control the deadly coronavirus epidemic.

Asked by AFP to confirm reports that it had axed all of its Italy flights for Tuesday, a BA spokeswoman replied: "Yes, today we have."

BA added in a statement that it had "contacted all customers who are due to travel today".

The company, which is owned by London-listed International Airlines Group, said passengers could rebook flights scheduled up to April 4.

The Italian government has imposed unprecedented nationwide restrictions on its 60 million people as it desperately attempts to halt the progress of the fatal COVID-19 disease.