Travel to Italy and Covid-19: health pass, form, vaccine, PCR test ... Info for the 2021 summer holidays

The summer of 2021 had started under the sign of optimism among our Italian neighbors.

This is evidenced by the end of the obligation to wear a mask outdoors and the end of all curfews since June 28.

And to this day, no region is considered at risk in the Boot, even if that could evolve.

Faced with the spread of the Delta variant like several European countries, Italy is following France's example by making health passes compulsory in a large part of closed places, including museums, bars and restaurants.

To discover

• Italy: the Figaro travel guide

• Trips to Italy: tailor-made tours, hotels and stays from our partners

Read also: Covid-19 and travel: health pass, Delta variant, restrictions in Spain, Greece, Portugal ... Where can the French go this summer?

Arrival in Italy: vaccine, PCR or antigen tests ... What are the conditions for French tourists?

To date, all travelers

over

the

age of 6

must complete, before entering Italy, a location form available online (the paper version is only accepted in the event of technical difficulty).

Travelers

unvaccinated

arriving in France must present the negative outcome of a PCR or antigen test within 48 hours.

Children under 6 are exempt from testing.

Read also: Tuscany, four good reasons to visit the Maremma far from the crowds

For people

vaccinated

, proof of complete vaccination must be presented, i.e. 14 days after the last injection with a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson).

Travelers

recovered from Covid-19

must have proof of recovery, that is to say a positive test dating back less than 6 months.

Read also: Travel abroad: the deadlines to respect once vaccinated or cured of Covid-19

Restrictions, bars, restaurants, hotels, beaches, curfew ... What measures are in force in Italy?

The cathedral of the village of Pienza, in Tuscany Guido Cozzi / Le Figaro Magazine

Since last year and until July 31, 2021, a decree-law classifies the Italian regions into four zones, according to the rate of circulation of the virus: red zone for a maximum risk, orange for a high risk, yellow for a risk moderate and white for reduced risk. Since June 28, all regions are classified in white zone. The government makes frequent updates, which can be viewed by following this link.

Even in white areas, health rules continue to apply.

Since June 28, wearing a mask outside is no longer compulsory.

Bars and restaurants are open indefinitely.

You can enjoy a

ristretto

at the bar, have lunch on the terrace or dine inside.

On the other hand, nightclubs remain closed and large gatherings remain prohibited.

No curfew is applied throughout the territory.

Read also: Why Umbria, Italy's “green lung”, is the ideal destination this summer

The placement of a region in one of the four categories is decided by the Minister of Health, taking into account many indicators.

Each region can reinforce restrictive measures at the provincial or even municipal level.

The health situation is therefore reassessed regularly as well as the classification of the regions.

Travelers are advised to check their status before any trip on the Italian Government card as well as on the websites of the regions.

Additional health measures are in place in Puglia: the authorities ask travelers to register before their trip on the site sanita.puglia.it.

Read the file: Italy: the

Figaro

travel guide

New cases, vaccination ... The health situation in Italy

As in most European countries, the number of positive cases for Covid-19 has been on the rise since the beginning of July, favored by the spread of the Delta variant.

On July 22, the country passed the 5,000 new contamination mark per day, a first for two months.

Nearly 48% of the population over 12 is now fully vaccinated while 14% of Italians are waiting for a second dose, according to Our World in Data.

Read also: Travel to Europe: from what age should children take a PCR or antigen test?

A compulsory health pass from August 6

From August 6, you will need a health pass to eat in the restaurant, unless you sit on the terrace or at the counter (here in Venice).

Marco Bertorello / AFP

From August 6, you will need a

health pass

(vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours) to access most of the closed places. No action to be taken: the QR code which appears on your French health pass (in paper version or via the TousAntiCovid application) is valid in Italy and everywhere in Europe. The rules will be less restrictive than in France, since a single dose of vaccine will suffice to obtain a valid pass. Compulsory from the age of 12, it will be required in particular in bars and restaurants (unless you sit at the counter or on the terrace). Cinemas, theaters, museums, concerts, sporting events or game rooms will also be concerned.

Read also: To encourage vaccination, Italy also relies on the health pass

However, the health pass is not required to take the train, boat or plane within the country.

At least not yet.

The Italian government is studying the advisability of extending the health pass obligation in September, this time with two injections, to access to long-distance public transport, like what will be done in France from early August.