Italy is ready to start its gradual returning to the pre-virus life. The European tourists will be able to visit Italy from early June under the condition of the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.
Although Italy never formally closed its borders and has allowed people to cross back and forth for work or health reasons, the movement for tourism was banned. That is why imposed a two-week isolation period for new arrivals is a must so far.
Italy’s government announced on May 16 that the country has quickened the exit from the coronavirus lockdown. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte enforced an economically crippling shut down in early March to counter an outbreak of the novel virus
In fact, the shutdown halted all holidaymaking in Italy heavily dependent on the tourism industry.
In March, the European Union banned foreign nationals from entering its Schengen zone, an open border zone comprising 22 of 27 member states, with exceptions for medical workers and essential travel.
So far, Conte’s government did not explicitly state which foreign nationals would be allowed to enter, but said its new measures respected the “legal order of the European Union”.
EU reset its plans for the gradual reopening after virus
However, this week, the EU set out plans for a phased restart of summer travel, urging member states to reopen its internal borders, while recommending that external borders remain shut for most travel until at least the middle of June.
Beginning on June 3, visitors within the Schengen zone will be allowed to enter Italy with no obligation to self-isolate. Italians will also be able to move between regions, though local authorities can limit travel if infections spike.
Movements to and from abroad can be limited by regional decree “in relation to specific states and territories, in accordance with the principles of adequacy and proportionality to the epidemiological risk”, the government said.
Shops will also open and Italians will finally be able to see friends, as long as they live within their same region. Gatherings of large groups are still banned in Italy.
