Despite individual EU countries lifting their ban on eight Southern African countries and, more recently, the EU itself lifting its ban, see here, Italy’s Omicron-related ban remains in place.
Entry is barred to all passengers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Malawi, or those who have been in those countries in the 14 days prior to travelling to Italy.
These eight countries remain in a special category based on their status as “highly affected by the Omicron variant”. Only Italian nationals, their children, and their legal partners can return to Italy after having spent time in one of these countries, with the proviso that they don’t show any COVID-19 symptoms.
Meanwhile, in Italy, authorities have introduced stricter COVID-19 measures.
In line with the current new rules, effective on Monday, January 10, anyone who does not have a full vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery, which can be contained in the new ‘Strengthened Green Pass’ (the pass refers to the requirement for either a vaccination or recovery certificate) will not have access to certain services. A certificate of a negative COVID test will no longer be enough to gain the holder entrance as it was previously.
Access to hotels and other accommodation providers will not be possible. Entry to public transport, including aircraft, trains, ships and ferries, will also be possible only for those who hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate. Museums, exhibitions, festivals, and fairs, among others, will also only permit entry to those who hold a Strengthened Green Pass.
While passengers who reside in or who have passed through one of the eight Southern African countries, are barred outright, others may enter Italy with a Passenger Locator Form, a vaccination or recovery certificate, along with a PCR test taken before arrival in Italy. Those without a vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate need to present a negative test result and undergo a five-day quarantine on arrival.
It is estimated that 83,6% of the adult population of Italy is fully vaccinated.
