There still seems to be a lot of confusion about travel restrictions to Italy. Just in the last few days I had a fully vaccinated friend take a PCR to come to Italy. I had someone I know cancel a visit because he thought a five day quarantine was required even if fully vaccinated. I also had a family try to fly home without taking a test, because they were fully vaccinated.
So to help clear things up…
Do you need to be vaccinated to travel to Italy?
No, that was never the case. Anyone with a negative test could come to Italy. For a few months, those unvaccinated were limited as to what they could do, but there were still plenty of things they could do, and I knew a lot of people who visited and had a great time.
Do you need a COVID test to travel to Italy
If you are vaccinated, or recovered within the last six months, you only need your CDC card or your letter of recovery.
If you are not vaccinated, a simple rapid test is all you need to visit.
Note that these things are checked when you depart the US, and rarely asked for on arrival.
Are masks still required?
Masks are now only required for public transportation – also in schools, theaters, and hospitals, but doubtful you’ll be visiting those.
They are still recommended so it’s possible a shop or museum may ask that you wear them. But legally, they are only required on public transportation.
This latest mandate is set to expire on June 15th.
Is vaccination required at the Vatican?
No, and it never was. A few articles mentioned the Green Pass would be required, but that never happened. Those articles were never updated, so the misinformation continued to spread.
There were never any vaccine requirements to enter Saint Peter’s Basilica or attend events with the pope, including the Audience and Papal Masses.
The Vatican Museums and the Scavi Tour did require the Green Pass, as all museums in Italy were required to do so.
Is a negative COVID test required to return to the US
Yes, a negative test is required for everyone, even fully vaccinated, to fly to the US. The exception is if you are recently recovered and have a letter from your doctor saying you are cleared to travel.
This is a US requirement, not EU or Italy. So we will wait for the US to drop this.
The proctored tests you purchase in the States and take in your hotel as someone watches on screen are allowed. But you can walk into a pharmacy here, without a reservation, pay €22, and have your results in about 10 minutes.