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...