Italy is joining the majority of European destinations in dropping its COVID-19 tourism restrictions. The country plans to start phasing out specific measures in time for the popular summer tourism season.
Green Pass
Italy will begin phasing out the use of the digital Green Pass over the next few weeks. This means residents and tourists will no longer need the pass to gain entry into public places, like restaurants, bars, and public transportation. The Green Pass was used to show that the holder was either fully vaccinated or fully recovered from a recent COVID infection.
Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi credits the Green Pass with boosting the country’s tourism in 2021. But, thanks to increasing vaccination rates and a decrease in infection numbers from the country’s peak, government officials feel it is safe to let the Green Pass requirements lapse. However, they say they are keeping a close eye on the virus numbers and are preparing to implement new measures if needed.
Other European Countries
Italy joins a growing list of European countries lifting or easing travel restrictions. In recent weeks, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands all changed their travel requirements for international visitors. Even so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States still ranks many of the countries, including Italy, as a Level 4 warning. That’s the highest travel warning from the U.S. It means the CDC classifies Italy as having a high coronavirus transmission rate and urges U.S. travelers not to go there at this time.
