If you’re planning a visit to Italy this summer, you may have to register before arriving in some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
Italy reopened its international borders at the start of June, allowing travel between regions after two months of strict lockdown. However, the regions of Sardinia and Puglia are taking additional steps to curb the spread of COVID-19 by requiring visitors to pre-register, facilitating track and trace measures. These rules are applicable to both international and local travelers.
Registration Requirements for Sardinia
The Sardinia registration form (access it here) requires visitors to provide their contact and address details while in Sardinia, flight or ferry information, and a form of ID. Additionally, travelers must declare they are symptom-free no more than 48 hours before arrival. The completed form must be presented to airlines or ferry companies prior to boarding.
Registration Requirements for Puglia
For Puglia, travelers must complete this online form and email it to the local health authorities (see the directory here) in the province where they plan to stay.
Moreover, according to a report published in La Repubblica, approximately 80% of Italians are planning a domestic holiday this summer. Consequently, Puglia is the favored destination, followed closely by Sicily and Sardinia. However, as travel steadily resumes, there are concerns that infections may rise again if social distancing guidelines are not adhered to.
To help maintain lower infection rates, Italy has launched an app called Immuni (immune), which tracks proximity between users through their smartphones. If an individual tests positive for the virus, the app enables health authorities to identify who may be at risk through contact tracing, thereby mitigating contagion.
