Milan's Salone del Mobile furniture fair will decide next month whether it will take place in June, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The trade show's president, Claudio Luti, wrote to exhibitors today in response to growing questions over whether it can go ahead.

"We first would like to stress that any future choice will be made with the utmost sensitivity and care to ensure that the conditions for the smooth operation and security of the event," Luti wrote. "This is for us the primary element of assessment."

He added: "Early April will be the time to take a final decision together, in cooperation with the authorities."

News follows quarantine across Italy

Salone del Mobile, the world's biggest and most important furniture fair, usually takes place in April but was postponed this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, since the decision to postpone was taken last month, cases of the virus have exploded across Italy.

On the weekend, much of northern Italy, including Milan, was locked down in an attempt to contain the outbreak. On Monday the quarantine was extended to the whole country.

Salone del Mobile bosses met this week to discuss the situation, with many observers expecting the fair to be cancelled. However, the fair has decided to wait a few more weeks before making a decision.

"In Italy and in many parts of the world we are living a very difficult time for people, for our businesses, for all of us that lead to reflections that are certainly beyond the individual trade fair," Luti's letter began.

Salone del Mobile postponed from April to June

"We write so few lines in response to those who, these days, ask us for an update and an indication of the next edition of the Salone Mobile Milano, which is in the calendar for 16-21 June, as announced on 26 February."

Luti also explained that the fair has been working with other fairs due to take place at the same time "to undertake coordinated action and create synergies".

Events taking place in the same week include the Art Basel art fair, the Pitti Immagine Uomo fashion fair in Florence and the Vinitaly wine fair in Verona.

"With great effort, together we can get out of this terrible situation to what we hope will be the time of global economic recovery," Luti concluded.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted events around the world, with dozens of fairs and conferences postponed or cancelled. See Dezeen Events Guide's list of affected events.

Image is by Sergio Boscaino.