Gareth and Haley
Important COVID Travel Info
Traveling To Italy
1. You must be fully vaccinated and provide documentation. Fully vaccinated: Booster, unless your primary vaccines are still within 9 months. Italy requires proof of vaccination to enter any restaurant, museum, train, etc. Italy currently uses what they call "Green Pass" which is basically just your vaccine card. If you have not gotten the booster shot (and do not plan on getting the booster before the wedding) see #2. 2. If you are NOT fully vaccinated: You must present a negative molecular PCR test within 72 hours of arrival OR a rapid antigen test within 48 hours of arrival. No at-home tests. (If you are FULLY vaccinated, you do not need to show a negative test to fly to Italy). Please Note: If you have a layover in a different country, they may have different requirements. 3. FFP2/KN95 masks are mandatory for all indoor activities and on all transportation. Surgical or cloth masks are not allowed.
Returning to the United States
1. You must be fully vaccinated and be able to provide documentation. 2. A negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Antigen or PCR is accepted, no at-home tests. I will add the website we used to schedule testing in Rome in January below. I know finding testing in a foreign country is confusing so we will try to help as much as we can! 3. You will be required to complete some sort of US entry form. Most airlines have their own version, some are electronic and others are paper versions that must be printed out (TAP airlines). I suggest researching this ahead of time. 4. FFP2/KN95 masks - Although the USA does not require these masks, Italy currently does. So your flight out of Italy may require you to wear one.
Additional Things to Consider
1. Do you have a layover in a different country? Please research that country's specific travel requirements as well. 2. Does the layover country have their own entry forms that need to be completed? 3. Do they have stricter testing requirements prior to arrival? 4. Do you have a long layover and your negative COVID test will no longer be acceptable in Italy? 5. Your passport. I suggest keeping it with you while you travel around Italy. If you are uneasy about this, make a copy and keep it with your luggage just in case. Some sites will ask for identification with your vaccine cards to verify. Also, the Italian police can conduct random document checks at any time. 6. Keep your documents organized especially while you are in the airport. You can be asked multiple times a day for them so be prepared :)
Testing information
When we came back from Italy in January, we signed up for COVID testing through thetourguy.com. Yes, it it a website to set up tours so we were a little skeptical but it ended up working great! They have partnered with several pharmacies across Italy, you get a "skip the line" pass, and should have your results in 15-30 mins. Below are the URLs for their testing site in Rome (the one we used) and Florence (no Sunday testing at the Florence location). Results are printed out and handed to you after testing. ROME: https://thetourguy.com/tours/rome/rome-covid-test *Testing is available 7 days a week* FLORENCE: https://thetourguy.com/tours/florence-tuscany/florence-covid-test *NO SUNDAY TESTING* Another option: https://www.doctorsinitaly.com/covid-swab-test/ We have not used them, the sign up form is in Italian and I think the sites have fewer testing days BUT they seem to have several locations so this may be more convenient for some of you.