A raft of international law firms have closed or discouraged usage of their Milan offices amid growing Coronavirus fears in Europe.

Several towns in Italy's Lombardy region, south of Milan, are in quarantine, and at least 10 firms told Law.com International they are taking steps to protect their staff.

Ashurst, which has 17 senior lawyers including eight partners in an office near to the Duomo di Milano, closed its operation on Monday but has since reopened it. A spokesperson said "staff safety and wellbeing is our primary concern" and that the firm has "given staff the option to continue working remotely".

Osborne Clarke has also temporarily closed its base, a person at the firm said.

Simmons and Simmons, meanwhile, is operating reduced hours. Its base, which consists of 54 lawyers including 15 partners, is closing two hours earlier at 18:00 local time.

Several other firms, including Linklaters, Baker McKenzie and DWF are encouraging people in their Milan bases to work from home, but are not making the advice compulsory, according to people at the firms.

Baker McKenzie Italy managing partner Francesco Pisciotta said in a statement to Law.com International: "We have asked our staff and professionals to work remotely as much as possible and if they need to be in to office to take precautions to minimise risk. In addition, we are encouraging everyone to use our technology to replace in-person meetings with video conferences."

The firm has one of the largest international offices in the city, with its base consisting of 90 lawyers, including 19 partners.

A spokesperson for Squire Patton Boggs confirmed its office is open, but people can work from home and if they do wish to travel in, should avoid using public transport.

Several local firms are also adopting contingency measures. While Milan offices remain open, Chiomenti, Legance and BonelliErede have asked staff to work from home and are discouraging travel. A partner at Chiomenti told Law.com's Legal Week on Monday that the firm is preparing to adapt in case any new instructions are given by the health authorities.

Several firms have already brought in special measures in bases across Greater China and Hong Kong in response to the Coronavirus outbreak,  including paying for employees to take taxis to the office and monitoring staff travel to high-risk areas.

As of Wednesday, the World Health Organization said that 80,980 people had been infected with the coronavirus, which originated in China.