In a bid to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Italy has introduced new testing measures to control the number of arrivals with Covid-19 in the country.
Last week it was announced that British tourists visiting Italy must now be able to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result before entering the country. The test must be taken within 72 hours before travel and should be a molecular (PCR) or an antigenic test – not NHS.
Those that cannot get hold of a test before they travel can alternatively take a Covid-19 test at the airport when they arrive in Italy. Some airports have fast testing facilities where tourists can get their results back within the hour, while others require tourists to self-isolate at their accommodation or hotel until they receive the test results.
There are also a few airports that do not have testing facilities, so anyone flying to one of these airports will be required to self-isolate and take a test at an alternative facility within 48 hours of arrival.
Italy has made headlines in the last few weeks for its strict isolation procedures for tourists, as several Brits who tested positive for Covid-19 while in Italy have been quarantined in government-regulated accommodation and barred from leaving the country until they provide two back-to-back negative tests. Some younger tourists have been in quarantine in these facilities for months as they have been unable to provide a negative result.
Anyone travelling to Italy should try and get a test before they travel to avoid any complications when they arrive at the airport. We would also advise that they look for a travel insurance policy that will cover them should they need to cancel their trip due to receiving a positive Covid-19 test before they depart. However, not all travel insurance providers offer this cover, so it is essential that the policy wording of any policy bought is read carefully to ensure it is giving the exact cover required.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some policies may also include cover for expenses, such as food, should tourists be required to isolate during their trip, so something else to look out for when choosing travel insurance cover.
For more information on the entry requirements to Italy, click here.
