A trip to Italy is once again possible.
While the country has put in place fairly strict measures to discourage tourism and contain the pandemic, Mario Draghi, the President of the Council, announced on Monday May 4 that the opening of the Boot to foreign visitors was accelerated: “
Our beaches, our mountains, our towns and our countryside are reopening their doors ”
.
What is it very concretely?
To discover
Partner stay: "The Italian lakes, the great enchanting sites"
Read also: Covid-19 and travel: what possible destinations for the French?
Our map, country by country
Certificate, quarantine, test… What are the access conditions for tourists?
As of May 16, anyone with a "green certificate" attesting to a complete vaccination (with reminder), a cure from Covid-19 certified by a negative test, or a negative PCR or hygienic test completed within 48 hours of departure, may enter Italy for sightseeing. But also move between regions, regardless of their restrictions. And this, without quarantine on arrival for European tourists. But this certificate will only be valid for six months. Beyond that, a negative test will be requested at the entrance. Of course, as of the release of the "European pass", scheduled for mid-June, the laissez-passer of all the member states of the Union will be recognized by Italy. Note that the certificate is no longer valid if its holder is again positive for Covid-19,regardless of vaccination or proof of recovery from the infection.
Read also: Green passport, vaccination passport, health certificate ... A brief vocabulary for travelers in the time of Covid-19
This change of regime contrasts with the restrictions in force until then.
For arrivals and returns from European Union countries to Italy, the Ministry of Health has so far required a PCR or antigen test from the age of 2 years carried out within 48 hours before departure, with the obligation to report to the health authority (ASL) of the region of destination.
But above all he imposed a quarantine of 5 days at the address indicated to the health authorities, even if the test was negative.
For people arriving from countries outside the European Union, the mandatory quarantine is ten days.
This device aims precisely to slow the influx of tourists, and does not apply in the event of trips of less than 120 hours, for proven needs of work, health, or for a case of force majeure.
Read the file: Italy: the
Figaro
travel guide
Where is the vaccination campaign?
At the beginning of May, the health situation in Italy is in clear improvement compared to the past weeks, with in total on the whole territory less than 10,000 cases per day according to the Ministry of Health, equivalent to a positive result rate of less than 3% of people tested.
Just over 6.5 million people have been fully vaccinated, which is 10.81% of the population, according to Johns Hopkins.
Read also: Head for Procida, the mysterious island off the coast of Naples
However, Italy has kept since autumn 2020 a system of more or less strict restrictions by region, marked by colors ranging from white (reduced risk - no region is currently concerned), to yellow, orange and red ( high risk). As the color assignment is revised weekly depending on the health situation, it should be borne in mind that movement restrictions may change regularly. Going from a yellow zone to an orange zone, for example, also requires a vaccination certificate or a negative test ... Unless you stop there for less than 48 hours. Therefore travelers are advised to check their status before any trip by consulting the map and the FAQ of the Italian government as well as the official websites of the regions. Nowadays,only Valle d'Aosta is in the red zone, Basilicata, Calabria, Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia are in the orange zone.
Read also: Travel to Tuscany, four good reasons to visit the Maremma
Number of cases, confinement, openings… What is the situation in Italy?
Having lunch on the terrace and enjoying the spring weather is once again possible in Rome.
The Italian capital is classified as a "yellow zone".
(April 26, 2021.) Guglielmo Mangiapane / Reuters
Once arrived at destination, the rules of the place of arrival apply.
Starting with the mandatory wearing of a mask in the open air as well as in public places.
But that's not all.
First, all regions are still subject to the national curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., which means avoiding too late dinners in restaurants.
In the yellow zone (15 Italian regions out of 20 currently), visits to museums or tourist sites, cinema screenings or theater shows must be booked in advance via the Internet.
All shops, bars and restaurants are open and offer on-site service, but only outside.
To dine in the dining room, you will have to wait until June 2 and only and until 6 p.m.
Abruzzo, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, the Autonomous Province of Trento, Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria and Veneto.
Read also: Emptied of its tourists, Venice is preparing for its rebirth
If your place of stay is in an orange zone (currently five regions south of La Botte), you will not be able to leave the city itself to reach a beach, or take a walk on the surrounding mountains.
And cinemas and museums will always be closed.
As for bars and restaurants, they will not offer table service and will only work for take-out.
Even if you are vaccinated, cured or negative.
See also
- Italy: partial reopening of bars, restaurants, cinemas and theaters
Other rules to keep in mind: travel arrangements.
Four, five, six or seven can travel in the same car, but only if you live together.
If you are going with a group of friends, the maximum number is three people on board: the driver and two passengers, seated in the rear seats.
Everyone must wear a mask except children under the age of six.
In the case of larger cars, the maximum number of rear passengers is always two per row.
And for now, there is no exception to this rule for those who are vaccinated.
Read also: Five emblematic medieval villages of Tuscany
By train, the rules differ depending on the nature of the lines. On board the Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity trains, seats must be reserved and you must sit only in the assigned seat, indicated on the ticket, for the entire duration of the trip. No question of making exchanges with a neighbor to be near friends, the tickets being nominative which makes it possible to trace possible sources of infection. On the other hand, in regional trains, reservations are not compulsory but it is necessary to check the availability of places. During the journey, you must comply with all sanitary rules.
Italy has created “
Covid free
”
trains
between Rome and Milan, in which only passengers who test negative for Covid-19 within 48 hours before departure are allowed to board. Note that the test can be performed free of charge, after booking the ticket, including the day of departure, in the centers at Rome Termini Station or Milan Central Station. Only children up to 6 years old are exempt from the test.
