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The Prime Minister of Italy has announced a plan to reopen for American tourists by the middle of May without the need for quarantine. Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi stated the country plans to introduce a pass that will allow both EU and non EU Nationals to visit Italy.
“Let us not wait until mid-June for the EU pass,” Draghi said. “In mid-May tourists can have the Italian pass … so the time has come to book your holidays in Italy,” he added.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi told the summit that “as long as you can show that you have been vaccinated or you test negative or you have immunity, then you’ll be welcome to come to Italy.”
The Telegraph reported that a government source said that the Italian health ministry would “soon formally announce that Italy’s five-day quarantine rule would be scrapped for visitors who can show that they are negative, vaccinated or immune.”
The ‘Italian Pass' Set To Be Announced
The Prime Minster referred to the ‘Italian Pass' at the G20 summit as a means to simplify entry requirements into Italy and reopen the country for tourism.
Forbes reported that the pass will allow vaccinated travelers, those who have recovered from Covid-19 and travelers who test negative to enter Italy.
The Guardian stated that these new entry rules would apply to all countries except those on Italy’s blacklist, which currently includes arrivals from India and Brazil.
The move by the Italian Prime Minister is a major shift from the strict lockdowns the country has been under for the last few months. Many areas such as Rome are still under curfews and movement restrictions are currently in place in several regions including Puglia, Sicily, Aosta Valley, and Sardinia.
With case numbers now falling, the government hopes to attract tourists over the summer with the new Italian Pass.
While the European Union announced they would introduce a health pass by the middle of June, the Italian President is set on rolling out their own Green Pass by the middle of this month.
Prime Minister Draghi said at the summit that “The world longs to travel here and our mountains, our beaches, our cities and our countryside are reopening. This process will begin to speed up in the coming weeks and months.”
Prior to the pandemic, Italy received over 64 million tourists in 2019 which made up 13% of its entire economy.
With no standardized international travel pass, each country is scrambling to set up their own rules and vaccine passports. While many countries have made it easier for vaccinated travelers, nations as of late have been adding entry exceptions for those who have recovered or test negative for Covid-19 before arrival.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
garrytravel
Thursday 6th of May 2021
Finally someone from the Eurozone gets a brain. They will fall like dominos or face no tourism this year.
K
Thursday 6th of May 2021
Glad to see they are allowing exceptions for tests and those who recovered as not everyone will have access to the vaccines. I think they realize as well many people in the US and other countries in the EU and elsewhere may not choose to get the vaccine, at least yet and so long as they are tested, I don't see any reason to not let people in. But I am curious how this will impact rules many European countries seem to be considering about restricting entry into certain places based on vaccination or showing a test. For tourists who enter on testing , I wouldn't want to have to deal with getting tested every few days just so I could enjoy restaurants, museums or other indoor places I would likely want to go.
ajdj
Thursday 6th of May 2021
does anyone know how this affects entry to Vatican and San Marino?
mike
Thursday 6th of May 2021
I don't see how they will currently be able to verify whether a proof of vaccination from the US or Canada is legit or not, as the countries are still discussing with each other on standardization.
Because currently in the US and Canada, after you get the jab , it's basically a paper receipt (or email) that has no barcode , no nothing, just your name and DOB ....that anyone can type and print out basically.
Witness
Friday 7th of May 2021
@mike, that's exactly what I've been thinking..wouldn't the vaccine system need to be up to date and regulated before a passport becomes available? Guess they will make everyone get injected again.
sharon eady
Thursday 6th of May 2021
Thanks for this information! Please keep us updated. Also on how layovers in other countries would work on the way to Italy