The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated travel restrictions by certain European countries including Italy which is a well-known tourist site for enthusiasts across the globe.
Italy is currently in a state of emergency due to the pandemic as it was one of the first countries to reopen its borders to visitors in June 2020 being hit hard in the early stages of the first wave.
Is Italy Open For Tourism?
Although the borders had been closed over the Christmas and New Year period, they were reopened in January 2021. Entry has been restricted to specific categories of passengers until 31 July 2021 and as of now, the countries currently permitted to enter the state have been divided into lists:
- Arrivals are permitted from most of Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
All arrivals from these countries have will have to undergo a five-day quarantine, however, those arriving with a negative Covid-19 test will not need to quarantine.
- Arrivals from the United Kingdom, other than Italian residents are also allowed entry. Those arriving will have to quarantine for five days except those with a negative test. However, the PCR test requirement has to be done 48 hours ahead of arrival.
- Israel is also included on the five-day quarantine list currently. Only Italian residents may travel to Italy from Brazil.
They must present a negative test taken within 72 hours of arrival, test again within 48 hours, and quarantine for 14 days, before testing negative a third time to end quarantine.
- Again, only those with Italian residence may enter from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Arrivals from this country must quarantine for 10 days in a hotel managed by health authorities.
- Non-European countries allowed entry include Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Rwanda, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. Residents of those countries are allowed unrestricted entry, however, they must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at a place of their choice, and must not take public transport to their destination.
Do you need a PCR test to enter Italy?
Yes. Allowed arrivals especially those from Europe must provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of their arrival.
- Passengers who have been outside Italy for less than 120 hours, as well as passengers who are traveling to Italy for a period of fewer than 120 hours, are exempted from Quarantine and COVID‑19 tests.
- Infants up to 2 years old are also exempted from COVID‑19 testing requirements.
Quarantine restrictions in Italy
Aside from providing a negative PCR test, travelers or new arrivals are also required to fill in a self-declaration form, report to the local health authorities, and quarantine for five days before testing negative to end the quarantine.
Those from other approved countries outside Europe must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Which countries are banned from entering Italy?
Other countries not mentioned in the above list are currently not allowed entry into Italy at the moment except for specific reasons, such as work, health or study, or absolute urgency, returning to one’s home, domicile, or dwelling.
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