In a state of emergency due to the global pandemic, Italy has just recently ended the third-wave lockdown. Case numbers are still rising. However, they are closely and continuously monitored. Individual regions put up restrictions at any time; some have already. Italy was among the countries that were most hit during the early stages of the first wave.
The country since then has opened its doors to visitors. Italy, currently (that is in 2021) limits its visitors to residents of the European Union and a few other non-EU countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. The regulations allowing entry into Italy differ according to the traveler’s vaccination status and if they’ve recently recovered from COVID-19.
Italy
Italy is one of Europe’s big tourist countries. Its historic cities of art make it stand out—such cities as Florence, Venice and the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome. The food is super good, the wine is exquisite, the beaches, resorts and the countryside are all a breather!
Who Is Allowed Into Italy
Since 2021, Italy has opened its borders to receive visitors, although with necessary restrictions to protect the country against Covid-19. These restrictions have since gone through updates, and currently, there was an update on the entry regulations on October 25. It will be valid through December 15. As earlier said, not all countries have passage into Italy. The countries that are currently let into Italy are categorized into two lists, on the other hand, the third list are countries that are not allowed into Italy;
List C
The countries in List C are European countries. They include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark (including the Faroe Islands and Greenland), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.
List D
List D contains the list of other countries permitted into Italy. They include Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, UAE, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Israel, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, UK, Korea, Singapore, USA, Uruguay, Ukraine, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.
List E
List E contains the list of countries not allowed into Italy only but for essential travel. The rest of the world are on this list.
Italy Entry Regulations
Whether vaccinated or not, all persons entering the country must fill in a self-declaration form. Also, they are to provide the following requirements below, depending on where they are coming from:
Visitors from the group in List C countries
- Visitors from the group in List C countries, must after spending the past 14 days in them, provide a Passenger Locator Form and a Green Pass or an equivalent of a green pass. The green pass is necessary to show that you have been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine for up to two weeks earlier and more. It also indicates that you have tested negative in the past 72 hours. However, if you are yet to take the vaccine, you are to quarantine for five days and, upon the conclusion, take another test.
Visitors from the category in List D Countries
- On the other hand, visitors from the category in List D must be sure of proof of vaccination, precisely as in the conditions for List C. Visitors from these countries: Canada, Japan, and the US can show proof of recovery from Covid-19, as an alternative if proof of vaccination if not available. Also, people in this category must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken in the 72 hours of arrival. However, it is 48 hours for those visiting from the UK.
If you do not show these correct pieces of evidence as they should be, you will be under quarantine for at least five days with a covid test before you start the quarantine and after your quarantine. From List E, only those going for essential work will enter. And they must show a negative test taken in the 72 hours of their arrival and then must quarantine for ten days and get a negative test before they can leave quarantine.
There is exclusion of children under six years old from any of the categories. They do not have to take any tests. But if they are yet to receive the vaccines, they should follow the rules their parents are following. That is to say that if their parent that brought them along does not have to quarantine, they too will not quarantine.
Italy’s Covid-19 Report
Italy was the first hit country in Europe; since then, Italy has gone through a lot. This led to a strict lockdown which stabilized things and prevented them from getting out of control, and Italy was able to hold out a second wave for a much longer time than other European countries. However, the third wave has taken its toll on Italy though it has gone into more or less total lockdown in the first quarter of the year.
After the US, Italy has the second-highest recorded death toll in Europe since the pandemic. It has surpassed the 100,000 deaths milestone on March 8. Thankfully, the numbers are on the decrease as summer continues. As of recently, November 10, to be precise, the death rate in Italy was at 132,491, with more than 4.8 million people being infected. After a rapid increase in infection rates in July, the numbers tripled and then doubled again. In August, however, the numbers came down to a reasonable level, but currently, they are on the rise again. About 26,481 new infections in the week leading to October 28, as against the 19,000 in the week earlier. As of mid-September, it was 32,214 new cases reported.
Thankfully, the vaccination campaign has started and is gaining full speed. People above 12 years of age can now access it. About 80% of the Italian population has been fully vaccinated, though some appointments are weeks away. The introduction of the “Green passes” was since summer 2021.
Getting Into Italy: What To Expect
The Italian government has now graded Italian regions based on their infection and hospitalization rates, from the lower risk regions, being white to the high-risk regions yellow and the highest risk regions amber to red. Almost all regions since the end of August are now in the white region category. Sicily was yellow before, and it has turned to white since October. The outdoor mask mandate has since then been lifted. Formally in Italy, wearing of masks everywhere and both inside or on public transport is mandatory. However, social distancing has remained in place, even on public transport. Furthermore, only on high-speed trains is the social distancing rules not feasible because those getting on them must have a green pass.
Regional Restrictions and Pass
The restrictions on travelling to certain regions have also been lifted, mainly the white and yellow regions. Travelling to an orange or red region must be on essential reasons. The alleviation of the social distancing rules since October 11, and cultural venues are now very much free to operate. Cinemas, theatres and concert venues as well are currently working as before. Even sports stadium capacity, formally 35% for indoor venues, has gone up to 60% and from 50% for outdoor venues to 75%. Nightclub capacity, too, has gone from 50% to 75% for outdoor venues. However, all those entering must possess a green pass.
White Regions
The regions graded white will soon be back to their original positions. They now are extremely low-risk areas. The cases in these regions are now less than 50 per 100,000 inhabitants. There are no more restrictions in these areas except the individual regions decide to put restrictions, but so far, none has.
Yellow Regions
In the regions graded yellow, bars and restaurants open most of the day but outdoor. Indoor eating areas started operating on June 1. There is a curfew in these regions from 11 pm. Although since most of these regions turned white, the curfew has been lifted. Shops open for business, friends and relations visit one another at homes, at least up to four adults and any number of children. Sports is back, with up to 1000 spectators for outdoor and 500 spectators for indoor. Museum are operating, but booking of tickets is a day before, during weekends and on holidays.
Orange Regions
For regions graded orange, the authorities decide if people can entertain guests or not. You can not Sit and dine in restaurants, only takeouts. There is movement. People are free to move about in their towns but shouldn’t leave their towns unless it is for work. All shops in the red regions are shut down except for grocery stores and pharmacies. There is restriction in movement except for work, health and going to places of worship or for exercise once a day.
Covid-19 certificazione Verde or green pass.
Since August 6, you must present a “certificazione Verde,” or green pass to enter a cultural site. Places like museums or galleries, theme parks, entertainment venues, sports venues and spas. Domestic flights, high-speed train travels between regions, and sea travels since September 1 are on restrictions to only green cards and “certificazione Verde” holders. Employees, too, must possess a green pass.
This green pass is evidence that the holder has been vaccinated and confirmed negative in the past 48 hours or that the holder has recovered from the covid within the last six months. If you’ve been vaccinated but not in Italy, disqualified for the green pass unless it is an EU vaccination passport. The countries have a reciprocal agreement.
You can use other vaccination in place of a green pass since July 29 are vaccination certificates from countries such as Canada, Israel, Japan, UK and US.
Your pass can be read like an Italian one if your certificate has a QR code. Also, verify the validity of the certificate VerificaC19 app. English and Welsh QR codes are readable in the UK, but Scottish and Northern Irish certificates are not. Make sure you have a paper copy of your certificate if your QR code can not be read. Make your discounted flight and hotel bookings here.
