Italy scraps remaining Covid border rules
Tunisia has also eased its remaining coronavirus rules, ending mandatory quarantine periods for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers
The government of Italy has dropped its remaining Covid entry rules, following an announcement on 31 May from the Ministry of Health that the remaining measures would not be renewed.
Previously, entrants into the country were required to present a Covid ‘green pass’ upon arrival in the country – this requirement expired at the start of June. Consequently, all travellers, regardless of country of origin or vaccination status, will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result to enter Italy.
The change returns Italy to standard pre-Covid border rules after over two years – Italy was one of the first countries outside of China, and one of the first in Europe, to experience an outbreak of coronavirus – detecting its first domestic cases in February 2020.
Italy is the latest European country to return to standard border rules. It follows the UK, as well as 19 other European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states.
The changes also come one week after Spain ended its ban on unvaccinated ‘third country’ international travellers. However, travellers to Spain will still be required to submit a Covid vaccination certificate, proof of recovery, or negative Covid test result for entry.
Tunisia ends mandatory quarantines for unvaccinated arrivals
Tunisia has also further eased its travel rules by dropping its quarantine requirement for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated international arrivals.
Until 1 June, passengers over the 18 who are over 18 and not fully vaccinated were previously required to undertake five days of mandatory self-isolation.
However, they are still required to present a negative PCR test result, taken no more than 48 hours before arrival, or a negative lateral flow test result taken within one day (24 hours) of entry.
Vaccinated passengers over 18 are exempt from pre-departure testing, but must present valid Covid vaccination certification upon arrival, while under-18s are exempt from both vaccine and testing requirements.
Tunisia previously dropped its requirement for vaccinated adults to present a negative test result on 15 February.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor for Voyageur Group, joining in 2021. He writes for both ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision and air medical transportation. He also serves as Title Editor of the Assistance & Repatriation Reviews. Oliver holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University, as well as a BA in English with Creative Writing from Falmouth University.