The ban applies to 150 people rescued by then German NGO Sea Eye a week ago.

The Italian authorities say any rescued migrant hoping to enter Italy must be transferred to another ship where they will be screened and quarantined.

Last week Italy closed its ports to rescue ships from NGOs for the duration of the national health emergency combatting COVID 19..

Authorities say admitting the rescued migrants, without first ascertaining their health status places too much pressure on Italy’s over burdened health service.

Last week Libya, which is currently faced with 700 000 would be migrants, refused top allow re-entry to 280 people who set off the from that North African state and later required rescuing 

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