Travel outside Europe, the new rules: here's what changes
Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed a new order to extend the current measures for entry into Italy [...]
The minister of health Roberto Speranza signed a new ordinance to extend the current measures for entry into Italy from countries outside Europe. The new date is set for December 15, 2021. Room for some changes, although their significance is somewhat limited. The travel experience of tourists will, therefore, remain almost completely unchanged.
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Few changes and many confirmations, but above all, no loosening. A blow to market participants who had hoped to see more ease of movement. The Christmas season is just around the corner and the hope is to make it as successful as possible, repeating the numbers recorded in the summer.
Downgraded countries
The government has confirmed its choices, retaining a system that is based on the number of infections and involves dividing European and non-European countries into lists. Israel e Chile, previously on List C, are now found on List D. Anyone wishing to make this trip for tourist purposes will need to have with them Green Pass and negative swab, as well as the completed Passenger Locator Form.
Downgrading from list D to E For the following countries:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Serbia
- India
- Brazil
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This means that it is absolutely forbidden to make trips for tourist purposes to one of these destinations. The only way you can leave is for work, health, study or absolute necessity. For entries from the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the islands, a buffer is required within 48 hours of entry into Italy.
Limited tourism
The current system will not be changed until most of 2021. Bad news for the Italian tourism sector. November and December are crucial months and will certainly lead to a large number of bookings. The Health Ministry's choice, however, will keep the brakes off winter holiday travel. Hope springs eternal, and it is believed that a new decree is possible. This hypothetical measure could ease current health protocols, with respect to destinations served by the Covid-free corridors.
A huge problem is social safety nets. An already delicate situation is aggravated by the fact that the tourism sector will no longer receive support after the end of 2021. The Cig has already been granted an extension, the one until the end of the year, in fact. Unless the government intervenes, the entire industry would find itself struggling in no small measure until next spring, when bookings for summer travel presumably begin. Here are the concerns of Confindustria Hotels, who sent a letter to Prime Minister Mario Draghi: "We expressed the need to provide support measures for the coming months, so that companies can aim to overcome the crisis, avoiding a blockage of investment and therefore a loss of competitiveness of the Italian tourism offer."
