Update to the Update

Lake Como

Well I knew that I would need to update the Italy travel info that I posted Monday, but I didn’t expect to have to do it quite so soon!

Today Italy’s Health Minister, the appropriately named Roberto Speranza (the Italian word speranza means hope), announced that effective March 1st fully vaccinated visitors to Italy (or those with a certificate of recovery) would no longer be required to present COVID test results. This was already the rule for EU visitors and now it extends to everyone as the focus shifts away from country of origin to just vaccination status.

Unvaccinated arrivals, or anyone vaccinated with a form of the vaccine not approved for use in the EU, will still need to present a negative COVID test. The vaccines used in the US and Canada (Pfizer, Modena, J&J) are approved in the EU. Unvaccinated persons are still limited in what they can do while in Italy because they aren’t eligible for the super green pass needed to access most venues (changes to the green pass system may also occur in the near future.)

Not requiring a COVID test for vaccinated travelers will greatly simplify travel as coordinating those COVID swabs was a major pain as well as an expense. The EU Passenger Locator Form is still required. It can be completed electronically but carrying a hard copy is always wise.

Good news !

(Note that at this point the US still requires a COVID test 24 hours before beginning return flights).