Italy extends its state of emergency
The Italian government has extended its COVID-19 state of emergency until March 31, 2022, due to a spike in the number of cases caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant. This means that the country is tightening up on its “super green pass” rules as well as mask-wearing requirements.
The government announced new measures on Christmas Eve, including the necessity for people to wear masks outdoors until January 31. However, the more protective FFP2 (N95) masks must be worn in indoor areas, including museums, theaters, public transport and sports arenas.
Italy and its super green pass
The Italian government is also extending the use of the super green pass, which is used as proof of vaccination, or recovery from COVID-19. The pass grants the holder access to many non-essential services across the country. From December 30, the super green pass will be required to enter restaurants, bars and other indoor venues where food and drink are served.
The super green pass will also be required to enter museums, swimming pools, wellness centers and gyms. Previously, it was possible to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter, but that option no longer applies.
Italy is making strong efforts to encourage people to take the booster jab. For this reason, the green pass will now have a six-month time limit, rather than nine for vaccinations. This means that people will be unable to access many services if more than six months have gone by since their last recommended vaccination. This time limit it set to come into effect from February 1.
With the latest tightening of COVID-19 measures, nightclubs, discos, concerts and open-air events will be banned until January 31, 2022.
Entry rules for travelers visiting Italy
Italy has also tightened up its entry rules from December 16, 2021. Under the latest rules, people visiting from European Union countries must now provide a negative PCR test, taken within 48 hours of departure. Alternatively, they can produce an antigen test, taken within 24 hours of entering Italy, even if they hold proof of vaccination, like the EU digital COVID certificate. This puts travelers from EU countries in line with visitors from the UK, Canada and US, who face those same regulations.
As for unvaccinated travelers, besides producing a negative test taken 72 hours prior to arrival, they are now required to self-isolate for five days. At the end of that time, they must provide proof of a second negative test in order to be released from self-isolation.
How can you access Italy’s green pass?
To be able to access Italy’s green pass while on vacation, the country recognizes the AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines. Also, for anyone to be considered “recently recovered” from the virus, no more than 180 days must have passed since their last positive test.
Travelers in Italy can present their official vaccination certificate instead of the green pass. For most European travelers, this is the vaccination certificate that is considered compatible with the EU digital COVID certificate.
In the case of Americans, they can produce their “white card” with the CDC logo. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Italy advises that these vaccination cards are suitable to enter places where the Italian green card is required. Bear in mind that for foreign vaccination certificates to be valid in the country, they should be issued in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
More information can be found on the Italia website here.
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