Italy
Travel restrictions
English-language guidance on current entry and exit requirements is maintained on the following Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html
All persons traveling to Italy from any foreign location are required to provide their airline or Italian law enforcement officials with a self-declaration form prior to travel.
All travelers arriving in Italy from abroad must self-isolate for a period ranging from 5 to 10 days depending on their country of origin unless they are traveling from an exempted country or for a purpose that falls under current exceptions.
Beginning on June 21st and valid until July 30th 2021, a Covid document compliant with Italian and EU regulations commonly called the “Green Pass” will allow travelers from the United States to enter Italy without having to self-isolate/quarantine upon arrival and undergo testing after quarantine. Passengers are still required to complete the online digital Passenger Locator Form.
In order to qualify for a “Green Pass”, U.S. citizens must provide certification issued by a U.S. authority certifying ONE of the following requirements:
- Anti-Covid 19 vaccination certificate of one of the vaccinations recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and that is Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca. The date of the final vaccine dose must be at least 14 days prior to travel. Approved languages of the certificate are Italian, English, Spanish, and French. The certificate can be in digital or paper format. Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo.
- A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than 6 months before departure.
- A negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within 48 hours of departure.
Measures taken by government
On April 23rd, 2021, the Italian government issued a new decree containing anti-Covid measures in effect from April 26th, 2021. Italy will be divided in red, orange, yellow, and white zones depending on transmission rates, availability of hospital and ICU beds, and other parameters. Different restrictive measures apply to each zone.
Under the April 23rd, 2021 decree, movement between yellow and white regions is permitted without the need of a self-certification form.
In orange and red zones, movement outside the city of residence or to other regions except for work, study, health of necessity reasons (self-certification form required).
As of June 21st 2021, the curfew has been lifted.
On July 22nd 2021, the Italian government approved a decree extending the Covid-19 state of emergency until December 31st 2021.
Effective August 6th 2021, the “Digital Green Certificate/Green Pass” will be necessary to access some locations and participate in certain social activities such as: indoor seated dining at restaurants and bars, museums, exhibitions, cultural sites, sporting events, swimming pools, gyms, concerts, fairs, conferences, amusement parks and other venues.
The Italian Ministry of Health issued an ordinance on July 29th 2021 stating that an Anti-COVID-19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognized vaccine from competent U.S. health authorities (CDC “white cards”) will be considered the equivalent of the Italian Green Pass where this requirement exists.
Alternatively, you can provide a negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result taken within 48 hours before entering a restaurant/museum etc. or a medical certificate issued by competent authorities confirming recovery from COVID within the previous 6 months. Certificates are accepted in Italian, English, Spanish or French and can be both digital or in paper copy.
Testing
At present in Italy, antigen tests cost approximately $25, while PCR tests cost approximately $75.
Please note that response times vary by testing location, the type of test taken, and the method of retrieving test results (i.e., in-person or via correspondence).
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Call Italy’s 112 emergency number or 1500 if you believe you have symptoms and are currently in Italy. English speaking operators are available.
Source:
US Embassy in Italy https://it.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on August 4th 2021 (checked on August 4th 2021)
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - FAQ https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html
Published on July 14th 2021 (checked on August 4th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx