This has to be the question that we have been asked most over the past few months… will it be possible to enjoy a holiday to Italy this Summer? If we had a pound (or a euro!) for every time we’d been asked, we’d be pretty rich by now! So, here’s what we do know…
It’s green for go!
Last Friday, the UK government unveiled the eagerly awaited list of countries that had made it to the green list. From 17 May 2021, UK citizens can travel to a list of just 12 countries without having to quarantine on their return. Admittedly, the list is a little limited – whilst it features popular tourist destinations such as Portugal, it also includes some destinations such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore where entry is currently severely restricted. In other words, it’s very much a token list of countries at this stage and reflects the continued cautious approach from the UK government (and probably a desire not to see millions disappear abroad during the half term holidays!)
There are still a few hurdles you’ll need to meet if you want to travel to one of these green list countries. We understand that travellers will need to take a COVID test before departure as well as another one a couple of days after they return to the UK but there will be no need to quarantine unless they receive a positive result.
However, from 17 May 2021, travellers will no longer need to complete the ‘permission to travel’ form if they wish to leave the UK and it will not longer be illegal to travel abroad. And, what is clear, is that this list will be added to over the coming weeks. The government have advised that changes will be made every 3 weeks so we can expect a revised list to be announced on 7 June. And, to help travellers plan, there will be a green watchlist, aimed at giving holidaymakers and travellers more notice if a country is at risk from moving from the green to the amber list.
There’s not just a green list of countries though. The green list is the list that all countries want to be on. However, other countries will be classified as either amber or red. For amber countries, you’ll need to quarantine for 10 days on your return as well as take a PCR test before departure, on day 2 of your return and on day 8. Alternatively, you can opt for the Test to Release option on day 5 to shorten the quarantine period. For red list countries, you’ll need to quarantine in one of the specially allocated quarantine hotels for 10 days at a significant cost to you.
Italy currently sits on that amber list. That does mean that you’re legally allowed to travel there but you will currently need to adhere to the quarantine period on your return to the UK.
Italy is welcoming back tourists!
The EU have already announced their intention to put in place a European Green Pass or vaccine passport, opening up their borders to international travel this Summer, with plans to have this in place by mid June.
However, the Italian PM, Mario Draghi, went one step further, announcing early in May that Italy is ‘ready to welcome back the world’. He continued saying, ‘The world wants to travel to Italy, the pandemic has forced us to close…’ but ‘we can’t wait to welcome you again’ and urging holidaymakers to ‘book your holidays to Italy’.
It’s his intention not to wait for Europe’s pass to be in place but instead to restart international tourism from this month. A travel pass will still be required but Italy’s tourism minister has confirmed that these could be used by travellers from the UK (and other countries), and would simply show that the traveller is either vaccinated, immune because they have had the disease or have received a recent negative COVID test. The good news is that, for travellers from the UK, it’s very easy to show proof of vaccination by using the NHS app.
On Friday 14 May, Italian Health Minister, Roberto Speranza, signed a decree that allows entry into Italy from countries in the EU and the Schengen area, as well as from the UK and Israel, upon proof of a negative COVID test, no longer requiring these travellers to undergo a 5 day quarantine on arrival. Under these new rules that will come into force from Sunday 16 May, Italy will also be extending the so-called ‘Covid-free’ flights. These are already in place to and from the United States but will be extended to include Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
In other words, Italy are ready to welcome us but, until the UK government puts Italy on that sought after green list, most people will understandably be put off travelling to Italy due to the quarantine requirements on their return. Our gut feel is that Italy will make that green list either at the 7 June review or the review 3 weeks after that, making travel to Italy possible this July and August.
However, we recognise that many won’t want to make plans until that uncertainty is eliminated. What we can say is that, when you are ready to travel again, do get in touch with Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You. We’d love to help find that perfect holiday villa in Italy for you next trip. And, don’t forget that you can book ahead with confidence knowing that, should your trip not be possible due to COVID, then you have the option of either moving your dates free of charge or opting for a full refund. Please ask for more details as the policy can vary by property.