Italy to introduce quarantine for EU arrivals

Italy will introduce a five-day quarantine period for travellers arriving from other EU countries including both residents and foreigners, according to a source in the country’s health ministry, cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday. 

Health Minister Roberto Speranza is expected to approve the rule later on in the day, according to the source, though details remained scarce on when the measure will be introduced or for how long it will last. 

It comes as Italy is due to spend Easter under tight COVID restrictions, as it battles its third wave of infections.

Half of Italy’s 20 regions, including the cities of Rome, Milan and Venice, entered new COVID restrictions from 15th March. The measures were initially announced to last through 6th April. 

The new travel restriction will require anyone arriving from an EU country to show a negative COVID test before departing for Italy, and a second after five days of quarantine, according to the AFP source.

They also reveal that the only exceptions are for reasons of necessity and urgency. 

A quarantine is already in place for visitors from numerous non-EU countries, and non-residents arriving from some nations are prohibited entry. 

Italy was the first European country to face the full force of the pandemic, and has registered over 3.5 million cases and over 108,000 deaths.