The Colosseum in Rome. Italy has reopened its borders to southern Africa…with strict conditions. Image: Adobe Stock
Italy reopens to South Africans…Here’s who can enter
Italy has reopened its borders to nationals from South Africa…but very few individuals would be eligible for entry.
The Colosseum in Rome. Italy has reopened its borders to southern Africa…with strict conditions. Image: Adobe Stock
Italy has reopened its borders to nationals from South Africa and the other countries in the region which were previously banned, but entrants are still subject to strict controls and conditions. The easing of Italy’s restrictions does not enable many South Africans to enter that country since most will be unable to meet the entry criteria.
RELEASING EMERGENCY BRAKE
The European Union has been advising member states on measures used to restrict entry to nationals from third countries in order to curb infections.
On 10 January the European Union (EU) lifted the emergency brake (a restrictive measure used to curb imported infections) that it applied on southern African countries last year, due to the discovery of the Omicron variant in the region.
Many states in the European Union had begun to remove restrictions and bans against southern Africa in December but others are slower in their approach, despite having agreed to ease restrictions.
Italy is one of the countries which was hit hard during the early stages of the pandemic, with high numbers of infections and deaths due to the coronavirus having occurred there.
ITALY CATEGORISES ENTRANTS
Italy has devised a scheme that categorises nationalities. There are five categories of travellers – from A to E – who are subject to varying requirements.
Most European countries are designated in the A, B, and C categories, which allows fully vaccinated travellers entry to Italy without needing to quarantine.
The next grouping is category D, which is for travellers from more than 20 countries, including Australia, Rwanda, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Nationalities in this batch can also enter Italy without quarantine, provided that vaccination and testing requirements are met.
South Africa and the rest of the world are placed in category E, which has the most restrictive entry conditions. Discretionary travel is not yet allowed.
ALSO READ: These are the countries in Europe South Africans still CAN’T travel to…
STRICT ENTRY CONDITIONS
Travellers from category E will still need to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival in Italy. These individuals will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form, undergo PCR or antigen testing, and notify local health authorities.
Business Insider states that another Covid-19 test will be administered on day 10 of the traveller’s self-isolation, which must be completed whether vaccinated or not.
ALSO READ: Ireland drops COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated visitors
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