16 Dec 2021 | 02:31 AM UTC
Italy: Authorities tighten international entry restrictions and extend domestic measures Dec. 16 /update 72
Italy tightens international entry restrictions and extend domestic measures Dec. 16
Event
Authorities in Italy have extended the country's COVID-19-related state of emergency and associated measures until March 31 amid rising infection rates. Additionally, from Dec. 16, all travelers arriving in Italy from EU countries, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative result from either a PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before departure. Such travelers with a certificate of vaccination or recovery may enter without additional restrictions; other travelers must self-isolate for five days upon entry and take another test at the end of the isolation period.
Domestic Measures
A Green Pass confirming an individual is vaccinated against, recovered from, or recently tested negative for COVID-19 is required on all forms of public transport. A "reinforced Green Pass," which only applies to individuals who have been vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19, is necessary for access to indoor catering, nightclubs, and mass events. Additional details regarding the Green Pass are available by clicking here.
Officials classify domestic regions according to a color-coded COVID-19 tracking system. The tracking system consists of four color-coded levels - red, orange, yellow, and white - in order of decreasing infection risk. Officials designate each region at one of the four levels based on the local infection rate, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit occupancy, with local restrictions imposed accordingly. Individuals must observe social distancing. Facemasks are necessary for indoor public spaces, including stores and shopping centers; people may remove them once seated in a catering establishment. The reinforced Green Pass is required to access additional facilities in regions classified as yellow or orange. The list of regions by color classification and applicable restrictive measures is available by clicking here.
International Travel Restrictions
Authorities permit entry to travelers from the EU and the Schengen Area, and Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK, Ukraine, Uruguay, and the US. Such travelers must have a certificate of vaccination in addition to a negative PCR test taken in the 72 hours before entry or a negative antigen test taken in the 24 hours before entry; travelers from the UK must take their PCR tests 48 hours before entry. Authorities accept certificates of recovery as an alternative to certificates of vaccination for travelers from the US, Canada, and Japan only. Travelers unable to meet these requirements must enter self-isolation for five days on arrival and submit to a test at the end of the isolation period.
Authorities prohibit travel from other locations for non-Schengen citizens or family members unless for study, proven work needs, or urgent health or family reasons. Permitted arrivals must possess a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours before arrival, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and submit to a further test at the end of the self-isolation period; some exceptions apply.
Except for San Marino and Vatican City, all permitted incoming travelers must fill out a digital passenger locator form before arrival, available by clicking here. Additionally, transport and health workers in transit through Italy and those staying in Italy for less than 120 hours for work reasons are exempt from testing and isolation requirements.
Tighter entry restrictions remain in effect for several southern African nations due to concerns regarding the Omicron strain of COVID-19. Non-resident foreign nationals cannot enter Italy from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini; this measure is in place until at least Jan. 31.
In addition, authorities have established "COVID-free travel corridors" that allow returning residents of Italy to forego quarantine. The travel corridor includes Aruba, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Dominican Republic, and Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam). Residents returning from these locations must show their Green Pass and a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding their flight. Travelers must undergo an additional test on arrival if they have been abroad for more than seven days.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.
