The Italian authorities responded to the strengthening of the epidemiological situation in Europe by early tightening of entry restrictions and the extension of the state of emergency for another 3.5 months. This means that tourism is at least a cross in the winter season. According to a government decree, regardless of the vaccination status, every traveler to Italy from the EU and the Schengen area is required to pass a negative test result, and the country will face a number of restrictive measures. However, if the Italian authorities imposed such harsh conditions against their colleagues in the union, what about Ukrainian tourists … It is likely that the country will continue the ban on Ukrainians from entering until the end of the state of emergency.
As it became known, on Tuesday, December 14, at a meeting of the Italian Council of Ministers, travelers without antibodies and unvaccinated tourists from other EU and Schengen countries must be subject to mandatory quarantine when crossing the Spanish border. “For those who also came from EU countries, but not vaccinated, it is not enough to show a negative test for a stay in Italy – they will be required to undergo quarantine. Vaccinated people will also be asked to present a negative test result,” officials said.
During the meeting, the Council of Ministers also approved a decree to extend the state of emergency in Italy until March 31, 2022. “The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of President Mario Draghi and Health Minister Roberto Sperans, has approved a decree-law providing for the continuation of the state of emergency in the country and measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic until March 31, 2022,” the press release said.
In accordance with the provisions of the decree approved by the Council, the obligation to carry a super Green pass – a “cunning” passport of a new model – was also extended until March 31.
Earlier it was stated that the document expired on January 15. According to the continuation of the National Assembly, for another 3.5 months, tourists and citizens of Italy who have not been vaccinated will be prohibited from visiting public places such as indoor restaurants, cinemas, discos and stadiums.
The decision to tighten entry restrictions and increase the “green pass” was made at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases has risen sharply across Europe, particularly in Italy. Earlier, the representative of the World Health Organization Margaret Harris said at a press conference at the UN Geneva that Europe is the main center of the coronavirus epidemic, in the region accounted for 65% of all cases of covid. And now “old Europe” is facing an extremely serious outbreak of infection, which has just begun to gain momentum – read the details at this link.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that a total of 119,645 new cases and 642 deaths have been reported in Italy in the last seven days. Moreover, 27 cases of the new variant of COVID-19 – Omicron – have already been registered in the country. The total number of cases of the new strain detected in the EU and EEA countries as of December 14 is 2,127.