Italian News

Italy is the first European country to fully reopen its borders to EU countries, lifting quarantine restrictions for tourists. However, many European nations are adopting patchwork regulations and keep their border closed as a safety health precaution.

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Italy Lifts Travel Restrictions Ahead of Other EU Countries

By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

June 3rd was the date that everyone was waiting for. After nearly three months of lockdown, the Italian government lifted restrictions on interregional and international travel within the Schengen area.

The shutdown of most economic activity in response to the Coronavirus pandemic led to devastating economic effects such as layoffs and permanent closures. Prior to the easing of restrictions, several rallies were held in many Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, to criticize how the government handled the Covid-19 emergency. The largest protests were organized by the center-right parties and the anti-establishment Orange Vests movement.

Starting on June 3, tourists from the 26 members of the European Union and Schengen area have been allowed to travel to Italy without the 14-day quarantine restriction upon arrival. But which countries are part of the Schengen Area? Besides Italy, it includes the following EU nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Non-EU States that have signed the Schengen Agreement are: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Italy has also allowed travel to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Andorra, Monaco, the Republic of San Marino and Vatican City State.

According to the guidelines from Italy’s Foreign Minister, “from June 3, if you are traveling to Italy from the Schengen area, you will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days unless you stayed in another country prior to traveling to Italy. Travelers from countries which do not belong to the Schengen area, such as the United States, will be allowed to enter Italy only for essential travel (proven work, urgent health needs or to return to your residence in Italy) and will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days under the supervision of Italian health authorities, either at home or a facility designated by the Regional Civil Protection.”

For those travelers required to enter mandatory self-isolation upon arrival in Italy, the Foreign Minister advises the following:

* You are only allowed to reach the address where you have chosen to self-isolate, by the shortest possible route and without using any means of public transport other than the means used to travel to Italy (for example, if you fly into Fiumicino

* Airport you are not allowed to catch a train into Rome or for any other destination).

* If you are on a short stopover between flights and do not leave the airport, you are free to board a connecting flight to any other domestic or international destination.

* You may rent a car (with or without a driver) or use a taxi.

* If you are traveling to Italy from abroad for proven work, urgent or health reasons, you may delay the start of selfisolation for 72 hours (or, in exceptional circumstances, 120 hours in total). The delay must be justified by the same reasons that justified your traveling to Italy in the first place.

Even though many Italians are enthusiastic about the ability to travel from region to region to meet relatives and friends, the end of the travel ban has been criticized by other European countries. Due to concern about the contagion level of some regions of Italy, many European countries, such as Austria and Greece, plan to keep their borders closed to Italians. These restrictions will likely last through June 15 at the earliest, after which many plan to impose new restrictions and checks. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said these travel restrictions against Italy are “discriminatory and totally unacceptable,” and the Italian government is currently trying to negotiate these re-openings with these countries.

Other European countries continue to maintain strict travel restrictions. In Germany, France, Greece, Portugal, Denmark and Malta, tourists will not be admitted until June 15th, and Spain will keep its doors shut to tourists until July 1. Nevertheless, negotiations are underway all over Europe about possible early lifting of these travel bans. Last week, the EU’s home affairs commissioner Ylva Johanson told media that “all of the Schengen zone’s internal border controls would be removed by the end of June, although a ban remains in place for non-essential travel coming from outside the bloc until 1 July.”

As for travel within Italy, the governors of some southern Italian regions, which have been less affected by the pandemic than those in the north, have expressed concern over the loosening of the travel restrictions. Although Italy continues to see a downward trend of COVID-19 cases, the northern region of Lombardy still has the country’s most infections. As a precautionary measure, Sicily and Sardinia will require tourists to register through their regional government’s websites for tracing purposes during their holiday in the islands.