ITALY was one of the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic, when it became the ‘epicentre’ of Europe.
However, following the country’s strict lockdown measures, daily cases have fallen and measures are now being lifted.
Italy currently has 233,515 confirmed cases and 33,530 deaths – both much lower than the UK’s 277,985 cases and 39,369 deaths.
Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Italy this summer.
What is the advice from the UK government?
The UK government’s advice of avoiding all non-essential travel remains in place, with no plans for this to be ended any time soon.
While the UK tourism industry may resume next month, there is no mention of international travel.
A 14-day quarantine is also being put into place next week for anyone returning to the UK, including British nationals.
Air bridges – an agreement between two countries to waive the quarantine – are being considered from the UK to other tourist destinations.
However these are not yet in place, and will not be until June 28 at the earliest.
Are tourists allowed to visit Italy?
Italy has opened its borders to British tourists from today.
Hotels have been open since mid-May along with bars, restaurants and shops while still following social distance guidlines.
Beaches have welcomed visitors back with sunloungers 10m apart with additional disinfection processes.
As of today, free movement is allowed between regions within the country.
The only element yet to reopen are theatres and cinemas, which will by June 15.
Will I have to quarantine in Italy?
The country is not enforcing a 14-day quarantine on arrival for British tourists.
Travellers will be able to enter by flights or by land without needing to self-isolate for 14 days in Italy.
Are flights running?
There are limited flights in operation to Italy from the UK at the moment, primarily with Air France and Alitalia.
More flights will be operation from next month with Ryanair, easyJet and British Airway relaunching a reduced schedule of international flights from July.
Routes are likely to be to major cities Milan, Rome and Naples.
Brits could return with air bridges as Italy’s daily infection rate is lower than the UK.
A study analysing the daily coronavirus rates per million, has found the majority of countries in Europe to be lower than the UK.
