Italy scrapped a large number of its Covid restrictions on May 1st – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some measures still in place. Here’s a recap of exactly what the rules are in Italy right now.
While some countries have abandoned almost all health restrictions, Italy has retained some rules for the month of May and going into June.
The decreto riapertura, or ‘reopening decree’, released in March, allowed for almost all of the country’s Covid restrictions to be dropped on May 1st; but an ordinance released at the end of April amended the decree to keep certain restrictions in place until June 15th.
As the rules have changed several times in recent weeks, there has been considerable confusion about what exactly people should expect when visiting.
Here’s an overview of Italy’s most important Covid restrictions rules you need to know about.
Masks
As of May 1st, masks are no longer required for a large number of indoor venues, and aren’t needed outdoors at all.
Bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, museums, galleries, gyms, swimming pools, spas, nightclubs and workplaces all no longer require any kind of mask (under national law – individual businesses may choose to impose their own, stricter rules).
Masks are still required on local and long-distance public transport; in health and social care environments, such as hospitals and residential homes; in schools; and in indoor entertainment venues, such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, live music venues, and indoor sports arenas and stadiums.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: When do you still have to wear a mask outdoors in Italy?
High-grade Ffp2 masks are required on public transport (including planes, trains, ferries, buses, trams, coaches, school buses, trams and the metro) and in indoor entertainment venues; while lower-grade surgical masks are accepted in health and social care facilities and schools.
Children under the age of six are exempt from all mask-wearing requirements.
Police can issue fines of between 400-1,000 euros to those who refuse to comply with the rules on wearing masks.
High-grade Ffp2 masks are required on public transport (including planes, trains, ferries, buses, trams, coaches, school buses, trams and the metro) and in indoor entertainment venues; while lower-grade surgical masks are accepted in health and social care facilities and schools.
Children under the age of six are exempt from all mask-wearing requirements.
Police can issue fines of between 400-1,000 euros to those who refuse to comply with the rules on wearing masks.
Green passes
As of May 1st, the requirement to show proof of vaccination or recent recovery from Covid (known in Italy as the ‘green pass’) to access most facilities and services has been dropped.
No health certificate of any kind is now needed to access almost all venues in Italy; the only exception being hospitals and care homes, which continue to require a ‘super’ or ‘reinforced’ green pass or its equivalent in the form of a foreign-issued vaccine or recovery certificate.
For entry into Italy from abroad, travellers can either show a valid vaccination or recovery certificate, or a recent negative Covid test result (see more below).
Italy recognises proof of vaccination with all European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved Covid vaccines and three additional vaccines as valid for entry into the country and as equivalent to the country’s ‘reinforced’ green pass.
Venue capacity
Italy had lowered the maximum capacity of theatres, nightclubs, sports stadiums and other venues throughout the pandemic, but these rules ended on April 1st, meaning capacity has now been restored to 100 percent.
Travel to and within Italy
Travel to Italy for any reason, including tourism, is currently allowed from all countries as restrictions were eased as of March 1st and the latest rules will remain in place until at least May 31st.
All arrivals are currently required to show valid proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result, which must be shown before boarding flights or ferries, and possibly during border checks if travelling by road or rail.
The following certifications are valid for entry into the country, according to Italy’s latest travel guidance:
- Full vaccination with a recognised vaccine carried out less than nine months ago;
- Full vaccination with a recognised vaccine plus a booster dose;
- An official Covid-19 recovery certificate less than six months old;
- Negative result of molecular (PCR) test within 72 hours prior to entry into Italy or rapid antigen test within forty-eight 48 hours prior to entry into Italy.
As of May 1st, travellers no longer need to fill out a passenger locator form, or ‘dPLF’, to enter Italy.
See all the updated details about the rules on travel to Italy from your country on the government’s ‘Viaggiare Sicuri’ (travel safe) website.
READ ALSO: ‘Fit to fly’: Are Covid lateral flow tests valid for travel to Italy?
Within Italy, there are no restrictions on travel and movement between regions under current rules set by the national government, though local authorities can impose their own measures at any time.
Source: The Local
Link to Full Article: https://www.thelocal.it/20220117/at-a-glance-what-covid-19-rules-are-now-in-place-in-italy/
Please note that The Local cannot advise on specific cases. For more information about how the rules may apply to you, see the Italian health ministry’s website or consult the Italian embassy in your country.
