Italian Update

From Business Insider:

“Italy announced that foreign travelers can visit again from June 3, as it seeks to revive its battered tourism industry”

Italy announced on Saturday that international travel would be allowed again from June 3. The country is emerging from a serious lockdown after one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world. At first, it is possible that only Europeans will be able to visit, as the EU is asking member states to keep their borders closed to non-Europeans until June 15. Italian media reported that the government is keen to restart the country's hard-hit tourism sector in time for the summer. Italy has announced that it will allow international travel to and from the country on June 3, as the country continues to re-open after its harrowing experience of the coronavirus pandemic. According to Italy's La Repubblica newspaper, Italy's government wants to allow its valuable tourism sector to operate over the summer. June 3 will also bring an end to the requirement that inbound travelers quarantine themselves for 14 days. However, international access may initially be limited to visitors from within Europe. The European Union has asked member states to keep the bloc's external borders closed until June 15, though the proposal has yet to be formally agreed. Italy was the first nation outside of eastern Asia to have a major coronavirus outbreak, and went into national lockdown on March 10. It has been gradually opening up since its cases began to subside from the start of May. Saturday brought another wave of announcements, including guidelines to reopen restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, hair salons, and allow access to beaches, albeit with restrictions in place. For instance, diners in restaurants will be permitted to sit indoors, but tables must be at least one meter apart. All buffets will be banned. Gyms can re-open, but anyone exercising must stay at least two meters away from others. Hair salons can operate, but with fewer customers, barriers in place, and mandatory temperature checks. Italy has experienced the third-worst virus outbreak in the world, after the US and UK, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. As of May 16, Italy had recorded more than 220,000 infections in total, and around 31,000 deaths.

^ I noted this earlier, but wasn’t sure if “International” tourists meant only those from within the EU or people from around the world. It seems that this travel easing on June 3rd only refers to EU and Schengen member citizens. It is interesting to also note all the other places (restaurants, barbers/salons, pools, beaches, etc.) that will be allowed to open as of this week. ^

https://news.yahoo.com/italy-announced-foreign-travelers-visit-143633975.html