Italy was one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak early on, at one point recording more fatalities than anywhere else in the world. The northern section of the country was particularly affected. However, despite the dire situation in the spring, Italy flattened the curve of new cases, and travel restrictions are beginning to lift.
Travel Restrictions in Italy
According to the latest guidance from the Italian government, travel for tourism purposes is currently allowed between Italy and EU member states and non-member Schengen area states, along with Andorra, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, San Marino, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, the UK, and Vatican City. This applies to citizens and foreign nationals in those locations, as well as members of their households.
Anyone who has stayed in or passed through Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Kosovo, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Serbia during the previous 14-day period will be refused entry. (For exceptions, see points 1 and 2 here.)
Foreign nationals temporarily living in Italy are always allowed to return home. For residents of other countries who need to pass through to return home, flight transfers are allowed as long as you don’t leave the airport. (For exceptions, see point 8 here); cruise passengers can return to their country of origin, and ferry passengers who disembark with a vehicle can continue on to their home country as long as they don’t stay in Italy for more than 36 hours. (Depending on where you’ve been prior, a quarantine may be required before you’re allowed to continue on; see below for details.)
Before boarding planes or ferries, travelers must complete a self-certification form vouching that they’re just passing through. Additionally, anyone arriving from abroad should be prepared to provide a self-declaration justifying their reasons for traveling to Italy if they’re stopped for a security check by airline officials or law enforcement.
Will I Have to Quarantine When I Arrive in Italy?
If you’re arriving in Italy from countries other than EU and Schengen area states, the UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, you’re required to self-isolate for 14 days. (For exceptions, see point 4 here). Once you’ve quarantined as needed, travel between regions is allowed, but you’ll need to if you’re visiting Sardinia, Puglia, Sicily, and Calabria.
As of August 11, residents returning to Puglia from travel to Spain, Greece, and Malta have to self-isolate for 14 days upon re-entry. The rule does not apply to Spanish, Greek, or Maltese residents visiting Puglia. In , officials are requiring residents returning from any foreign country in August to take either a swab or a blood test and notify their local health authority. Meanwhile, the region of is introducing mandatory testing for residents returning from Spain, Greece, Croatia, or Malta. Tourists visiting the region must also be tested within 24 hours of arrival. The enforcement follows a recent spike in infections linked to citizens returning from holidays abroad.
Across the country, masks are required indoors, on public transit, and outdoors if a safe distance can’t be maintained – except in Lombardy, where they’re required inside and out.
Current Lockdown Status in Italy
Most restrictions have been lifted; however, temperature-taking and hand-sanitizing may be required at restaurants, bars, beaches, pools, amusement parks, shops, museums, and hotels, and social distancing is a must practically everywhere. For restaurants and bars, masks must be worn when you’re not seated at your table.
Hotels are technically open, although reports indicate that only about 40% were actually welcoming guests as of early June. Many attractions are limiting entry and requiring visitors to book in advance, so checking websites before visiting is recommended.
Concerns About Travel During COVID-19
Rome: The have introduced timed entry, and advanced bookings are required. Visitors must wear masks and have their body temperatures taken upon entry; social distancing is mandated inside the museums as well. Similar rules apply for the and its surrounding archaeological park.
Florence: The and its museum are providing visitors with , and the is limiting the number of patrons allowed, requiring temperatures to be taken at the entrance, and enforcing mask usage once inside. Other sites such as the and have also reopened with restrictions in place.
Venice: is currently open from Thursday to Sunday, and ticket prices have been reduced from €15 to €13; it will be open daily as of July 31. Iconic restaurants like have reopened, and gondolas have reportedly returned to the canals.
Elsewhere: Visitors to the must purchase tickets in advance for timed entry, with a maximum of 15 people allowed for each 15-minute increment. Designated entry is also standard at , with 150 people allowed per 15-minute time slot, and visitors must follow designated one-way routes around the historic site.
Public Sentiment on COVID-19 and Travel in Italy
Ahead of Italy’s reopening this spring, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio voiced objections to some European countries’ travel policies regarding the virus hotspot. He expressed on Facebook that Italy would not accept being treated unfairly. Nevertheless, domestic travel has decreased, and international visitors have been slow to return, with predictions of an 82% drop in airport arrivals expected this summer.
However, some studies indicate that Italians are becoming increasingly eager to go on vacation. Amid reports of crowded beaches and high-profile parties, there is a clear desire to engage in social activities again. Yet, many describe the current atmosphere across the country as a significant departure from pre-pandemic times. A local noted the striking calm in Rome, contrasting the usual hustle and bustle.
have been a recurring topic, and with increased local presence, conservation groups are striving for sustainable tourism solutions. Melissa Conn of Save Venice mentioned in an interview that this period is being used positively to rethink tourism approaches that prioritize the city’s sustainability.
COVID-19 Snapshot
