Just one day after the EU removed the U.S. from its list of 'safe countries,' Italy has imposed new restrictions for American arrivals, regardless of vaccination status.
All travellers, vaccinated or unvaccinated, who have spent the past 14 days in the U.S., must now present a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before arrival in Italy, according to the country's Ministry of Health. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this requirement.
Incoming travellers must also fill out a digital passenger locator form to assist in contact tracing efforts in the event the traveller is exposed to COVID-19.
According to Frommers, unvaccinated travellers also have additional restrictions. They must self-isolate for five days upon landing then get tested that their own expense after that time period. USA Today reports that COVID-19 antigen tests in Italy cost around USD $25, and PCR tests cost around USD $75.
Once travellers are able to move freely about the country, they must show Italy's "green pass" to enter restaurants, museums, train stations, and other public places. The pass is a digital system that shows proof of vaccination, and proof of recent recovery or negative results from a COVID-19 test within the past 48 hours.
As noted by USA Today, Italy's previous travel requirements for Americans were simply to submit the passenger locator form and show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
As reported by Open Jaw on 30AUG, the EU removed the U.S. from its safe list of countries for non-essential travel, along with Israel, Montenegro, Lebanon, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
The motion is unbinding, meaning that EU member states are free to decide whether or not to permit Americans from entry, leading to Italy's unilateral announcement of its new requirements for American arrivals.
Following the EU announcement, and as new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. continue to surge, other EU countries may also decide to impose further restrictions on Americans, which could complicate fall travel from the U.S. to Europe.
