Is it possible to vacation in Italy despite the rampant corona pandemic and delta variant? Many travelers have questions, here you will find the answers.
Rome – With the global economic miracle in the 1950s, Italy moved into the focus of German holidaymakers as a popular holiday destination. Year after year, more people drove and flew over the Alps to enjoy themselves on the peninsula. In addition to fascinating cities full of historical cultural sites, it was above all the many beaches along the “boot” that attracted travelers.
In addition to the fascinating surroundings, there is also the Italian culinary art, which has been extremely popular in Germany at least since the beginning of the guest work, which, in addition to classics such as pizza and pasta, offers a diverse range of seafood to a wide variety of meat and cheese specialties. In the years 2018 to 2020, Italy was third among the favorite holiday destinations of German travelers with around ten percent; only more Germans made pilgrimages to Spain, including its islands, and the Baltic Sea at home.
Vaccination rate and incidence in Italy: More than 60 percent of the population vaccinated, incidence above 50
Then, however, the corona pandemic between Bolzano and Palermo struck so ruthlessly as in hardly any other European nation. More than 4.34 million of the total of around 60.4 million Italians have since contracted the virus and its mutations. 4.13 million are now considered to have recovered, with currently 128,029 deaths (as of July 30, 2021; source: CSSE at the JHU) in a sad eleventh place worldwide, only France and Great Britain count more corona deaths across Europe.
By the end of July 2021, 62.63 percent of the Italian population had simply been vaccinated against the coronavirus, around 50 percent of Italians had already received the second vaccination. Italy is currently no longer officially a risk area, and numerous precautionary measures have now been lifted by the local authorities. For example, there is no longer a requirement to wear a mask outdoors, and there are currently no longer any designated risk zones in the entire country. Since all of Italy currently consists of so-called “white zones”, there are hardly any corona restrictions.
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However, the aggressive delta variant is now also on the advance in Italy, with around 81.1 percent in the last four weeks (as of July 30, 2021; source: gisaid.org), the mutation has long been dominant in Italy. The incidence of new infections with the coronavirus is currently 51.7 infections per 100,000 people (as of July 30, 2021, JHU) and thus at a higher level than in Germany. For some time now this number has been increasing across all age groups.
Entering Italy as a holiday destination: Travelers must observe these corona measures
Although the corona situation in Italy is currently considered to have been defused, rules still apply to entry from the EU and Schengen countries. A negative corona test (PCR or antigen test) must be presented at the border, which must not be more than 48 years old. Fully vaccinated and genesis patients no longer need to present the test if they can prove their status. Children under the age of six are also exempt from the obligation to test. A form is compulsory for all those entering the country; for a holiday in South Tyrol, another form must also be filled out online.
Special restrictions apply to travelers who have stayed in Great Britain in the past 14 days. In Italy, these must show a negative test in any case, and they are also subject to a five-day quarantine at the travel destination. They then have to prove with another negative test that they are corona negative. As the Delta variant is particularly rampant in Great Britain, the Italian authorities are forced to impose this additional inconvenience on their guests.
Entering Italy by transit from Austria and Switzerland: what should be considered?
For German holidaymakers, arriving by car means arriving via Austria or Switzerland. However, this is not a problem: According to the ADAC, transit through Austria is generally permitted. It is also possible to travel through Switzerland without any problems. In addition, there is an exemption from the test requirement for transit through Italy from EU countries and the Schengen area to North Africa, as long as the transit does not take longer than 36 hours.
Italy vacation: These rules are currently valid
Since the Corona incidence in Italy is back at a high level, the local authorities have tightened some rules again. The following restrictions currently apply:
- Distance: There is a minimum distance of one meter.
- Mask requirement: Mouth and nose protection must be worn in closed rooms, in public places and on public transport. Wearing a medical mask is not compulsory, community masks are allowed as long as they consist of at least two layers of fabric.
- In the car: If people from more than one household are on board, a mask requirement and minimum distance also apply in the car. According to ADAC, the passenger seat must remain free, in each row a maximum of two people can sit, and one seat must also remain free between them. Although other rules may apply in some, violations always result in high fines. The authorities are also allowed to forbid further travel in the event of a violation.
- On the train: Mask and distance requirements also apply when traveling by train. Violations can be punished, and unruly fellow passengers can also be asked to leave the train.
- In restaurants such as bars and restaurants : In Italy, access to gastronomic establishments will require a health passport in the future. According to the Italian government, the so-called green pass is mandatory from August 6, 2021. The document, which is valid throughout the country, contains information about corona vaccinations, past infections and corona tests. Unlike in other countries, in Italy the first vaccination should be enough to get the passport issued, so complete immunization is not necessary.
Summer vacation on the beaches in Italy: Which corona rules apply on the coasts?
Corona rules also apply to the popular beaches along the “boot” and islands such as Sicily and Sardinia. Some of the privately run beach baths in Italy require registration. Operators are also allowed to insist on a fever test before admission is granted. The beach chairs must be at least one and a half meters apart to ensure the minimum distance.
Current corona information
The Federal Foreign Office and the Italian tourism authority provide current information about Corona in Italy.
In closed rooms and communal areas such as toilets and beach bars, it is mandatory to wear a mask; in general, as everywhere in the country, a minimum distance of one meter to other beach visitors must be maintained.
Traveling home from vacation in Italy: This applies to the return journey to Germany
Since Italy is currently not listed as a corona risk area, there have not yet been any rules for entering Germany after a vacation in Italy. At least when traveling on land, no negative tests had to be presented. From August 1, 2021, however, the general ordinance to contain the corona pandemic will also apply to entry from Italy. This means that when entering Germany, a negative corona test, proof of recovery or proof of a complete vaccination against the coronavirus must be presented.
Random checks are intended to ensure compliance with the obligation to provide evidence that is now applicable to entry from all countries. Travelers have to bear the costs for a test themselves. The test obligation applies to all adult holiday travelers and to children and adolescents from the age of twelve. (Mirko Schmid)
