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Tighter entry restrictions including antigen test within 24 hours, effective Dec. 16, 2021

Andrew

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Document in Italian : from Dec. 16 to at least Jan. 31, 2022 the rule for people (even if vaccinated) arriving from the EU or the U.S. or U.K. will include an antigen test done within 24 hours before arrival in Italy, or, if I read it correctly, a PCR test within 48 hours if coming from Europe, or 72 hours from the U.S. or other non-European countries in Group D. That makes an incentive to do the at-home video-proctored tests.
 
This doesn't sound too different, at least from the US to Italy, than what I had to do in September. Thanks for staying on top of it, Andrew!
 
More in English from the U.S. Embassy site:


If one wants the more easily available antigen test and the rule is indeed 24 hours before arrival in Italy, that's a pretty big difference from the 72-hour rule from September. Especially for a trip from the West Coast with connections, the window to take the test before checking in would be small.
 
Andrew, I read this as the one day requirement is for the RETURN to the US. Going to Italy, it is still 72 hours. Am I reading it all correctly?
 
From the embassy page, under Entry and Exit Requirements:
  • Beginning on December 16, 2021 and valid until January 31, 2022, travelers from the United States may enter Italy if they present a negative molecular PCR test result carried out within 72 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test result carried out within 24 hours of arrival AND one of the following:
      • An Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA)-recognized vaccine. At present, EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca. The date of the final vaccine dose must be at least 14 days prior to travel. Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo.
      • A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than six months before departure.
The Timatic information that airline check-in agents see is easiest to find on the United Airlines site https://www.united.com/en/us/timatic/ . I did a search for a traveler from the U.S. to Italy, and the results include:
Passengers must have:
- a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken at most 72 hours before arrival; or
- a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken at most 24 hours before arrival.
The test result must be in English, French, Italian or Spanish.
So, for a test to be valid within 72 hours instead of 24, it needs to be a PCR, which can be difficult or costly to get with a fast result. An itinerary connecting through a third country could have extra restrictions.
 
So, for a test to be valid within 72 hours instead of 24, it needs to be a PCR, which can be difficult or costly to get with a fast result.
I live in the Virginia suburbs of DC and (except for right now where testing sites seem to be overwhelmed with holiday travel), PCR tests are fully covered by insurance. We have used a company called Curative who advertises 72 hour turnaround, but has usually provided results in about 30 hours (one of our pre-trip tests stretched to 60 hours before results provided). We switched to a company called SameDay testing which provides free (for those who are insured) PCR tests within 48 hours and a quick turnaround PCR (with additional payment) in 24 hours.

I will note that I just took a look at the SameDay site and that they have amended their regular PCR test to "<72 hours", but I'm guessing that that is a function of the holiday crunch I noted above. Related to that, Curative ran out of testing swabs at the end of the week and were supposed to be restocked by now, but I haven't seen further news on that. My insurance has reimbursed me for all the other tests I've had done (antigen tests in US and tests in foreign locations prior to return to US).
 
The Local Italy - Italy introduces random Covid testing for arrivals, 28 December 2021
www.thelocal.it/20211228/travel-italy-introduces-random-covid-testing-for-all-arrivals/

"The Italian government has introduced spot testing for anyone entering the country for tourism, work or any other reason alongside existing testing and vaccination requirements.

Italy tightened its Covid-19 controls at ports, airports, stations and borders with random antigenic or molecular tests for arrivals as of December 25th.

The decision came as part of a new decree to curb the soaring infections fuelled by the Omicron variant, announced by Health Minister Roberto Speranza on Thursday December 23rd.

If a person is swabbed when entering Italy and tests positive, they will be required to undergo isolation for a period of ten days. ..."
 
IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS

During a long and contentious meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday evening, the Italian Government has significantly expanded the necessity of having a "Super Green Pass" (proof of full vaccination OR proof of recovery from the virus within the previous 6 months) to access the following venues BEGINNING ON JANUARY 10, 2022, which previously needed only the regular green pass (where a negative Covid test result was also acceptable):

ALL FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION;

Bars, restaurants, cafes, pubs, wineries BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS;

HOTELS;

Skiing facilities;

Weddings, baptisms, congresses, fairs and other types of public events, whether civil or religious (but excluding attending religious services);

Sporting events, BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS;

Swimming pools, BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS;

Gymnasiums;

Cultural, social and recreational centers, BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS;

MUSEUMS, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, music halls, opera houses;

Theme and entertainment parks;

Thermal baths and spas;

Casinos, betting rooms, and bingo rooms.

In essence, BEGINNING ON JANUARY 10, 2022, all types of public transportation, eating/drinking, sleeping accommodations, gyms, public gatherings, entertainment, cultural, musical, or sports-related venues will now require a "Super Green Pass" (which precludes a negative Covid test result). This is yet a further indirect way to force people to get vaccinated, unless they are willing to forego normal social activities.

No type of green pass will be required to shop in grocery stores or enter banks, post offices, government offices, pharmacies or other retail stores which are not eating/drinking venues or gyms.

The foregoing rules are effective through at least March 31, 2022.

https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2...us-332067368/?ref=RHTP-BH-I329541896-P1-S1-T1

https://www.corriere.it/cronache/21...le-b22ca03e-687d-11ec-b54e-d173b9021fcd.shtml

https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cr...ena_804160a8-75b3-4e88-8413-32455626772a.html
 
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Document in Italian : from Dec. 16 to at least Jan. 31, 2022 the rule for people (even if vaccinated) arriving from the EU or the U.S. or U.K. will include an antigen test done within 24 hours before arrival in Italy, or, if I read it correctly, a PCR test within 48 hours if coming from Europe, or 72 hours from the U.S. or other non-European countries in Group D. That makes an incentive to do the at-home video-proctored tests.
Today the Super Green Pass took affect in Italy. I read that some travelers had problems despite being triple vax as their CDC cards were not accepted.
I’m headed via FCO to Italy in April and can’t find the guidelines where our CDC cards are accepted. Am I correct understanding that a Covid test is also required prior to flying over?
Andrew can you find out and post here where it shows our CDC cards are accepted as super Green Pass so I can download as proof once I’m there .
Thanks
 
ITALIAN ENTRY RESTRICTIONS:

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/n...lish&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto

CHANGES TO ENTRY REGULATIONS FROM DECEMBER 16 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2022:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187768-i20-k13758863-MAJOR_CHANGE_to_Italian_Entry_Regulations_eff_12_16-Italy.html

WHERE IS A COVID-19 GREEN PASS (OR EQUIVALENT CERTIFICATE) REQUIRED?:

https://www.italia.it/en/covid19

https://www.governo.it/sites/govern...izie-allegati/tabella_attivita_consentite.pdf

FOR IMPORTANT NEW DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE ITALIAN GREEN PASS, SEE POSTINGS # 5690 and # 5715-5717 ABOVE. (These new provisions were implemented on December 6 through at least March 31, 2022).

On December 22, THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED YET MORE CHANGES TO THE ITALIAN GREEN PASS RULES: see postings # 5852 and 5921 above.

EQUIVALENCY OF FOREIGN VACCINATION DOCUMENTS TO ITALIAN COVID-19 CERTIFICATES:

https://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.i...df?anno=2021&codLeg=82920&parte=1 &serie=null

Beginning December 25, 2021, face masks are required nationwide both indoors and outdoors. FFP2 (N-95, KN-05) face masks are required on all forms of public transportation, and beginning January 10, only fully vaccinated or virus-recovered persons will be able to use public transportation.

FOR INFORMATION ON MANDATORY SELF-ISOLATION FOR PERSONS WHO TEST POSITIVE TO COVID-19, see posting # 5996 above.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REGION TURNS "RED"? see posting # 6047 above

 
U.S. CDC vaccination cards are being uniformly accepted on Italian TRAINS, museums, and most restaurants which see a lot of American tourists. Exceptions to the recognition of the CDC card are not frequent in these circumstances.

The CDC card is much less recognized on city BUSES and metro systems (especially outside of the major tourist cities), also because many Americans don't use these when in Italy.

Generally speaking, the CDC card will not present problems of acceptability in the vast majority of venues where there are frequent American visitors (major museums, restaurants which cater to tourists, etc.).

The vaccination card may present acceptability problems in venues which rarely see American visitors. That's why I recommend printing out and carrying with you this resource:


EQUIVALENCY OF FOREIGN VACCINATION DOCUMENTS TO ITALIAN COVID-19 CERTIFICATES:

https://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.i...df?anno=2021&codLeg=82920&parte=1 &serie=null
 
Today on my American Airline app I found the following with only one change starting Feb 1st which is concerning:
Mandatory proof of vaccination:
Starting February 1st, vaccination certificates must be issued in the past 6 months. I assume this is our CDC card!
Travelers who are unable to present this are required to comply with rules for unvaccinated travelers which is 5 day quarantine and proof of negative Covid test!
We are vaccinated plus booster in Nov , planning to go back to Italy in mid June which is 7 months past booster so will this create a problem? Not just us but for everyone? I’ll be in Italy a long time so 5 days isn’t that bad for us but how about people on a certain time frame vacation?
Can there be a time frame placed on our CDC cards like an expiration date? That’s what it seems like! Is it Italy making up this rule or the entire EU? Perhaps by June it will change again.
Andrew did you read about this? Thanks
 
The bit I've seen would indicate not to expect a problem, and to expect some clarification soon, something to the effect that having the latest available booster would be enough.
 
American Airlines is not completely up to speed with the Italian Entry Regulations effective February 1. The reduction in the validity of vaccination certificates from 9 to 6 months, which does take effect on February 1, has been MODIFIED to exempt those who have gotten the THIRD JAB. Vaccination certificates which reflect a third jab will NOT expire after 6 months, but have open-ended validity, at least until such time if and when the European and Italian Health Agencies recommend a fourth jab.

Vaccination certificates which reflect only two doses of the vaccine (or just the one shot of Johnson & Johnson), WILL expire after 6 months.

I expect that this provision will become "official" within two to three days, in time for the January 31 changeover to the February 1 Italian Entry Regulations.

In the meantime, it has been previewed here:

 
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