Italy opens arms for tourists from Europe

Rome: Italy Thursday started welcoming visitors from the European Union and Schengen area countries, without quarantine, as the country makes a tentative return to international tourism following prolonged lockdown restrictions due to covid-19.

Italians will be able to travel to most EU and Schengen zone countries, with several exceptions including Greece which reopens its borders to Italy on 15 June.

However those travelling to Greece from the north Italian regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Piemonte and Veneto from 15-30 June will be required to undergo testing and quarantine.

Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio has expressed his disapproval over the Greek restrictions, saying: “We believe in the European spirit, but we are ready to close the borders to those who do not respect us,” adding that Italy has “distinguished itself for transparency” and its statistics are “very comforting”.

Di Maio, responding to perceived anti-Italian sentiment, has also warned countries not to treat Italy “like a leper colony.” The foreign minister’s remarks echo those of Italian premier Giuseppe Conte who has insisted that there should be no “privileged tourist corridors” or special tourism pacts between EU countries.

Another major step for Italians on Thursday was the removal of the restrictions prohibiting travel between Italian regions, opening up the possibility to visit family and go on holidays.

Earlier, movement between regions had been reserved for matters of urgency or necessity, proved by a self-certification form which is now no longer necessary.