Italy to lift travel restrictions within EU from June 3

Rome: The Italian government has approved a decree allowing unrestricted travel to and from EU countries in the Schengen area, including Switzerland and Monaco, from 3 June, without quarantine, media reports said.

The decree, approved in the early hours of Saturday 16 May, represents a major development in Italy’s efforts to relaunch its economy, particularly its devastated tourism sector, as the country eases one of the world’s most stringent coronavirus lockdowns.

The decree, signed by premier Giuseppe Conte, will also permit travel between Italy’s regions – which has so far been tightly restricted – from 3 June. However until then, inter-regional travel is not permitted, unless it is for absolute necessity.

In another significant development, from 18 May it will be possible to travel freely within your region of residence without any need to carry the self-declaration form.

The decree comes as Italy reports a further decline in its daily coronavirus death toll and follows the government’s approval of a €55 billion stimulus package designed to offset the economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic, offering liquidity to hard-hit businesses and aid to struggling families.

Italians will go on summer holidays says Conte
More than 31,600 Italians have died from coronavirus since the start of the outbreak on 21 February, the third-highest death toll in the world after the US and UK.

On 18 May Italy will see the reopening of bars and restaurants, museums and hairdressers, with churches reopening for public worship, all under strict regulations and with an emphasis on social distancing.