With less than three weeks to go before the opening of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the city is preparing for an unprecedented security operation. Authorities have approved a special plan featuring red zones, restricted access areas, school closures and a temporary ban on private flights and drones.

Five high-security zones will be established along the Olympic torch route and around key venues, from CityLife to Porta Venezia and Piazza Duomo. On February 6, the day of the opening ceremony, all schools within the city’s outer ring road will remain closed. Public and private employers are encouraged to allow remote work to ease congestion.

Airspace will also be tightly controlled. From the afternoon of February 4 until the evening of February 7, private flights and drones will be banned over Milan, Assago and Rho, while operations at Linate and Bresso airports will be suspended.

The aim, officials say, is clear: to ensure safety without paralysing a city preparing to welcome the world.