Published: 21/06/2021 By The Abode Team
Amid concerns about the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant travel to Italy has got more complicated again, following the news that all UK arrivals will be required to undergo a mandatory quarantine and testing,After dropping the quarantine requirement for UK travellers just over a month ago, Italy is now joining other countries in Europe such as France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria in tightening the rules afresh. Italy had been open to all travellers from the UK since May 16th without the need for quarantine on arrival, but due to the UK’s worsening health situation, Italian authorities have revised Italy’s entry requirements, effective as of Monday June 21st.
Here are the latest rules and news you need to know.
Arrivals from the UK will need to isolate for five days at an address given to health authorities, with the new rules remaining in force from June 21st to at least July 30th, the Italian Embassy in London said on Saturday. Following that, a negative test result will be required at the end of the quarantine period – anyone found not to be following the rules will be landed with a €450 fine. Travellers “must take a rapid antigenic or molecular swab test for Covid-19 and test negative for release,” stated the UK government. If flying to Italy, you must show the airline proof of a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before travel. If you arrive without a negative test, you “will need to self-isolate for 10 days and undertake a test at the end of the isolation period,” added the UK authorities. The quarantine and testing rules also apply to people arriving in Italy by car or other means of transport.
Exemptions to the quarantine period
“No quarantine is required for specific categories of workers and for stays up to 120 hours for work, health or other urgent reasons,” read a tweet from the Embassy. “In case of symptoms everyone should isolate. 6-year-old or younger children do not have to take tests.” Travellers transiting Italy in a private vehicle for less than 36 hours are also exempt from the quarantine.
The decision to impose the new restrictions came after health minister Roberto Speranza announced the changes in a Facebook post on Friday afternoon. “I have signed a new ordinance introducing a five-day quarantine with a swab test requirement for those coming from Britain,” read the statement.
Being vaccinated doesn’t mean you can avoid these new rules, as unlike some European countries, Italy does not currently make any exceptions for vaccinated travellers. Italy’s decision to reintroduce quarantine and testing for UK arrivals came as the number of coronavirus cases in the UK continued to rise, now exceeding 10,000 for the first time since late February.
Entry paperwork
People travelling from the UK should fill out this online digital form. This will generate a QR code, which you’ll need to show to your travel provider or the Border Police if requested. There’s a paper entry form.pdf if you cannot access it digitally. You should also inform the local health authority in the region of Italy to which you are travelling within 48 hours of arrival, stating where you plan to quarantine and how they can reach you. The UK government advice is to carry proof of your residence when entering Italy if you are a UK national resident in Italy.
Flying to Italy
Many people planning to fly to Italy this month had already reported a lack of flights on many UK-Italy routes, and there have been widespread reports of last-minute cancellations this week. Further flight cancellations have ensued following the British government’s decision to impose a four-week delay to its so-called ‘Freedom Day’ – when the last remaining Covid-19 restrictions were to be lifted in the country. The UK government has advised travellers to keep checking if their flights are still running. “Many airlines and airports serving Italy are operating a reduced service and may be subject to change. You are strongly advised to check your airline’s website, as well as the website for the airport you are intending to fly to for the latest information,” stated UK authorities. Travel provider TUI also announced last week that it was cancelling dozens of holiday routes from the UK until mid-July “due to ongoing uncertainty around travel”. Italy is included on TUI’s list of suspended countries until July 4th. A spokesperson for EasyJet told the Local this week that “due to the recent UK government decision not to further open up international travel for the summer we have been required to evaluate our schedule in line with where we see the restrictions impacting demand.”
The UK’s rules on travel from Italy
Italy is on the UK’s ‘amber’ list for travel, which means travel is possible but the British government has stressed people should not be booking holidays to these countries at the moment. Passengers who may have reasons to want to travel Italy despite the government advice, such as visiting loved ones after postponed trips or to attend weddings, must present a pre-departure test result and then quarantine at home for 10 days upon arrival in England, Wales or Scotland. In addition, PCR tests are required on days two and eight of quarantine.
Restrictions within Italy are easing and Italy is restarting tourism for summer as the country eases its health measures. The new travel rules came as Italy opens up to visitors from the US, Canada and Japan and announces the details of its health certificate for travel within the EU.
All Italian regions but one are due to drop Covid-19 restrictions from Monday 21st as the national infection rate has fallen further. It means that almost all regional authorities are allowed to abandon most of the remaining coronavirus restrictions earlier than planned under the national roadmap for reopening.