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Italy COVID-19. Incoming travellers from Romania and Bulgaria now under an obligation to undergo a 14-day quarantine + a recap of the regulatory framework  

The Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, signed a new Ordinance under which incoming travellers who have stayed in Romania or Bulgaria in the 14 days before entering the Italian territory are now under an obligation to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

This is the first restriction introduced by the Italian government on movement of people within the European Union since freedom of movement from/to EU/Schengen countries was restored on 3 June.

As a quick recap, the regulatory framework applying to border crossings at the moment is the following:

• Unrestricted movement of people is allowed to and from EU Member States and other Schengen area countries plus the UK, Andorra, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of San Marino, and the Vatican City, with the exception of 2 EU Member States, i.e. Romania and Bulgaria
• The following incoming travellers who are travelling from a non-EU/non-Schengen country or who are travelling from a EU/Schengen country but have stayed in a non-EU/non-Schengen country in the 14 days before entering the Italian territory are allowed to cross the Italian border for whatever purpose, on the condition that they undergo a 14-day quarantine:
  • Schengen area nationals
  • Non-Schengen area nationals who are long-term residents in the EU
  • Residents in the following countries among those listed in the EU Council Recommendation of 30 June: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Korean Republic (South Korea), Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay
  • Any incoming traveller (including Italian citizens) who has stayed in Romania or Bulgaria in the 14 days before entering Italy.
• Traveling to and from any other third country is forbidden, unless for proven reasons of work, study, extreme urgency, and health. This rule also applies to those who are travelling from a Schengen country but have stayed in a third country (other than those listed under letter b) in the 14 days before crossing the Italian border. These travelers are still under an obligation to undergo a 14-day quarantine once they cross the Italian border for one of the above-mentioned reasons, unless:
  • they are only staying for 5 days max. for proven work reasons – in this case they are not required to undergo the quarantine
  • they are only transiting across the Italian territory, for no more than 36 hours – same as above.
• A total ban on the entry into Italy and the travel through Italy applies to anyone who has stayed in the following countries in the 14 days before his/her travel, namely: Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chile, Kosovo, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic and Serbia. In addition, direct and indirect flights to/from these countries are suspended. As a partial exception, the ban does not apply to transport crew members who are entering Italy from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia if they are staying for 5 days max. for proven work reasons or if they are only transiting across the Italian territory for no more than 36 hours.

These rules were originally meant to stay in force until 31 July, but were extended until 9 August and they will be probably confirmed by a forthcoming PM Decree.

If you are interested to know more please contact Telos A&S at telos@telosaes.it