This 2021, the world is finally rising from the ashes left by the Covid-19 global pandemic. The diseases began spreading in late 2019 and by early 2020, several countries were hit hard. One of them was Italy. For a while, Italy became the epicenter of the pandemic, not just in Europe, but in the entire world. It averaged about 100,000 new cases each day. It was one of the first to impose a nationwide lockdown and most of the country remains closed to this day. However, ever since vaccines to help combat Covid-19 have been released, It looks like Italy is on its way to reopening once again.
Latest Updates for Summer 2021
As infection rates continue to drop, more and more regions in Italy are opening up.
The Local Italy reports that the province of Bolzano and regions Sicily, Tuscany, Campania, Marche, Calabria, and Basilicata have all been moved to the 'Yellow' category. This means all aforementioned areas have joined Italy's 'White Zone,' places where travel restrictions have been lifted or, at the very least, eased. A new health report signed by Health Minister Roberto Speranza has also shown that the country has only reported an average of 2,000 new cases per day since June 7, 2021. This is the lowest since September 2020.
Moreover,
Conde Nast Traveler has also reported that Italy has lifted its travel ban from the US, allowing American travelers back to the country without going into quarantine. It's a strategic move that aims to improve the country's tourism just in time for the summer 2021 season.
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At an all-important G20 Tourism meeting, Prime Minister Mario Drag invited tourists to book their vacations to Italy as the country plans to reopen by summer 2021. As reported by
Reuters, Draghi mentioned that by mid-June 2021, the EU plans to introduce a health pass that will allow foreign tourists to freely within the continent. He even went as far as to suggest that Italy can release its own health passes by mid-May 2021, saying '
Let us not wait until mid-June for the EU pass. In mid-May tourists can have the Italian pass ... so the time has come to book your holidays in Italy!'
This news about an alleged health pass comes after the
EU introduced the Digital Green Certificate, a type of vaccine passport system that, just like the health pass, allows free movement within the region. Only those who have been vaccinated, tested negative, or have recovered from Covid-19 will be given the certificate.
Moreover, according to
a report by France 24, many places in Italy, particularly Venice and Florence, have already reopened to tourists. They're all part of the 'yellow' parts of Italy; low-risk regions where the number of new cases has substantially decreased. In these areas, travel restrictions have eased up and various businesses, ranging from restaurants and bars to cinemas and theaters, have already reopened. Though the latter attractions are only allowed to accommodate 50% capacity for now. And there's still a curfew too, starting at 10:00 pm every night.
With all of that said,
SchengenVisa Info also reports that those traveling from other EU states to Italy will still have to follow quarantine rules up until May 15, 2021. An ordinance signed by the Health Ministry requires travelers to present a negative Covid-19 test result—taken not more than 48 hours prior—and to self-isolate for five days upon entry into the country. This is the third variation of self-isolation rules imposed by the Italian government since the country first closed down back in March 2020.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic still looms large throughout the world, Italy becomes one of few countries that have set out plans to reopen post-pandemic. The country seeks to revive its tourism, hoping to help the economy along the way!
If you're lucky enough to get into Italy soon, make sure you get yourself a
luxury home in the country! You'll deserve it after going through so much to get here!
