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Minister of Health Roberto Speranza on Tuesday announced Italy's new travel rules. The new regulation allows people coming to Italy from non-European countries to follow the same rules already provided for those arriving from other European countries.
Here's what we know so far about Covid-19 rules for non-EU arrivals from March 1st onward.
What are the new travel rules in Italy that will be in force as of March 1st?
Italy will no longer require travelers to isolate after entering the country as of March 1, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement on Tuesday.
Arrivals in Italy will not be required to show either proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19 and a negative Covid test result
The travel ban will also be removed for 'list E' travelers, which means they also will be able to enter Italy for non-essential travel purposes if they have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19
Pre-entry testing requirements will remain necessary for unvaccinated tourists and for those who have received vaccines not recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), such as Sputnik
Speranza wrote on his official Twitter account:
“From the 1st of March, for people coming from all non-European countries, the same rules already provided for European countries will be in force" and "For entry into Italy, one of the conditions of the Green Pass will be sufficient: vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or negative test result."
This means that travelers from 'list-E' countries will be able to enter Italy without being subject to additional entry rules, as long as they hold a vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative Covid-19 test result.
Speranza’s announcement came shortly after a recommendation on Tuesday from the EU council, made up of member states. They announced that all countries “should lift the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU for people vaccinated with an EU or WHO approved vaccine, provided they have received the last dose of the primary vaccination cycle at least 14 days ago and no more than 270 days prior to arrival, or have received a booster dose.”
A two-tiered Green Pass system (a "basic" version of the Green Pass and a "Super Green Pass") remains in place, and Italy continues to use its domestic green pass. The Super Green Pass is a "reinforced" version of the Green Pass certificate, which proves that the holder has either been vaccinated against Covid-19, recovered from the virus within the last six months, or tested negative in the last couple of days.
In Italy, the proof of vaccination or recovery (not a negative test result) is currently needed for access to everything from hotels and restaurants to public transport under rules until at least March 31st.
Arrivals from any other European member state can show their country’s version of the green pass, or health pass – which can be recognised by Italy – to gain access to all venues where it is required.
Tuesday's announcement is the latest in a series of restrictions to be relaxed in Italy, from the wearing of masks outdoors to a reduced quarantine system for schools, in the midst of an improving covid situation.
Those changes come as Italy's tourism sector prepares for the Easter holiday season, with a progressive "reopening" of the country promised recently by Italian premier Mario Draghi.
Other travel restrictions for arrivals will be revised by the Italian health ministry by March 15th.