UPDATE: Italy brings back mandatory quarantine and testing for all UK arrivals
The Italian health ministry has announced it will reinstate quarantine and testing requirements for all UK arrivals amid concerns about the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Friday that Italy will require all travellers from Britain to quarantine for five days upon arrival.
"I have signed a new ordinance introducing a five-day quarantine with a swab test requirement for those coming from Britain," Speranza announced in a Facebook post on Friday afternoon.
A health ministry spokesman said the order would come into force on Monday, AFP reported.
READ ALSO: Delta variant in Italy: What’s the risk of another Covid-19 surge?
Arrivals from the UK will need to isolate for five days at an address given to health authorities.
A negative test result will be required at the end of the quarantine period, with a €450 fine for anyone found not to be following the rules.
The new rules remain in force until at least July 30th, the Italian Embassy in London said on Saturday.
"No quarantine is required for specific categories of workers and for stays up to 120 hours for work, health or other urgent reasons," read a tweet from the Embassy. "In case of symptoms everyone should isolate. 6-year-old or younger children do not have to take tests."
The new rules are applicable till 30 July.
No quarantine is required for specific categories of workers and for stays up to 120 hours for work, health or other urgent reasons. In case of symptoms everyone should isolate.
6-year-old or younger children do not have to take tests.
— Italy in UK (@ItalyinUK) June 19, 2021
Unlike some European countries, Italy does not currently make any exceptions to the rules for vaccinated travellers.
Speranza's order also extends an existing ban on arrivals from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The move came as the number of coronavirus cases in the UK continued to rise, now exceeding 10,000 for the first time since late February.
The country on Thursday reported 11,007 new daily infections.
After dropping the quarantine requirement for UK travellers just over a month ago, Italy is now tightening the rules again as the UK's health situation continues to worsen.
Italy had been open to all travellers from the UK since May 16th without the need for quarantine on arrival.
France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria had already put quarantine rules and other tough travel restrictions back in place for travellers from the UK in late May amid concerns about Delta
Spain on the other hand still has no restrictions in place for British tourists.
Italy is on the UK’s ‘amber’ list for travel, which means travel is possible but passengers must present a pre-departure test result and then quarantine at home for 10 days upon arrival in England, Wales or Scotland. In addition, PCR tests are required on days two and eight of quarantine.
The new restrictions come as Italy opens up to visitors from the US, Canada and Japan and announces the details of its health certificate for travel within the EU.
Italy has been one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but infection rates have fallen sharply in recent weeks and the country said this week that almost all domestic restrictions would be lifted by Monday.
For more information on international travel to and from Italy, see the Foreign Ministry’s website.
Please note that The Local is unable to advise on specific cases.
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Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Friday that Italy will require all travellers from Britain to quarantine for five days upon arrival.
"I have signed a new ordinance introducing a five-day quarantine with a swab test requirement for those coming from Britain," Speranza announced in a Facebook post on Friday afternoon.
A health ministry spokesman said the order would come into force on Monday, AFP reported.
READ ALSO: Delta variant in Italy: What’s the risk of another Covid-19 surge?
Arrivals from the UK will need to isolate for five days at an address given to health authorities.
A negative test result will be required at the end of the quarantine period, with a €450 fine for anyone found not to be following the rules.
The new rules remain in force until at least July 30th, the Italian Embassy in London said on Saturday.
"No quarantine is required for specific categories of workers and for stays up to 120 hours for work, health or other urgent reasons," read a tweet from the Embassy. "In case of symptoms everyone should isolate. 6-year-old or younger children do not have to take tests."
The new rules are applicable till 30 July.
— Italy in UK (@ItalyinUK) June 19, 2021
No quarantine is required for specific categories of workers and for stays up to 120 hours for work, health or other urgent reasons. In case of symptoms everyone should isolate.
6-year-old or younger children do not have to take tests.
Unlike some European countries, Italy does not currently make any exceptions to the rules for vaccinated travellers.
Speranza's order also extends an existing ban on arrivals from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The move came as the number of coronavirus cases in the UK continued to rise, now exceeding 10,000 for the first time since late February.
The country on Thursday reported 11,007 new daily infections.
After dropping the quarantine requirement for UK travellers just over a month ago, Italy is now tightening the rules again as the UK's health situation continues to worsen.
Italy had been open to all travellers from the UK since May 16th without the need for quarantine on arrival.
France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria had already put quarantine rules and other tough travel restrictions back in place for travellers from the UK in late May amid concerns about Delta
Spain on the other hand still has no restrictions in place for British tourists.
Italy is on the UK’s ‘amber’ list for travel, which means travel is possible but passengers must present a pre-departure test result and then quarantine at home for 10 days upon arrival in England, Wales or Scotland. In addition, PCR tests are required on days two and eight of quarantine.
The new restrictions come as Italy opens up to visitors from the US, Canada and Japan and announces the details of its health certificate for travel within the EU.
Italy has been one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but infection rates have fallen sharply in recent weeks and the country said this week that almost all domestic restrictions would be lifted by Monday.
For more information on international travel to and from Italy, see the Foreign Ministry’s website.
Please note that The Local is unable to advise on specific cases.
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