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Covid-TESTED flights between the United States and Italy

Washington, November 26, 2020.

Italy’s Official Gazette has published Ordinance signed by the Ministers of Health, Transport and Foreign Affairs, authorizing the start of a trial of “Covid-tested” flights between some U.S. airports (New York JFK, Newark Liberty and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson) and Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci airport.

This is a very important development for bilateral relations, and is aimed at promoting air travel connections between Italy and the United States, in full compliance with high levels of health safety both for travelers, and our country.

Passengers who test negative after meeting the following conditions will be able to enter Italy without needing to undergo health surveillance or a 14-day period of self-isolation: travelers who get a negative rapid antigenic test directly at the airport in the U.S., or who present a negative PCR or antigenic molecular test certificate issued within 48 hours before their departure. In both cases, these must be followed by second (negative) test carried upon arrival in Rome Fiumicino airport, in designated facilities that have already been set up.

Equally, flights departing from Italy to the United States will be able to board passengers who have tested negative. Upon arrival, passengers will have to comply with the updated recommendations of US authorities.

On the other hand, limitations related to the reasons for the trip continue to apply, and travelers will be allowed to enter Italy only for reasons of work, health or study, absolute urgency, return to one’s domicile, home or residence. On the US side, limitations regarding the geographical origin from the Schengen area (and related exceptions) will also remain in place. In certain circumstances, travelers may apply for a National Interest Exception, for documented reasons, to the US consular network in Italy.

In addition to Italian and US federal and national provisions, travelers must also comply with local rules set out by Italian regions or individual US states, which in some cases prescribe more restrictive behavior, vary according to the final destination and which it is incumbent upon the traveler to verify.

Airlines operating connections between the interested airports are considering starting “Covid-tested” US-Italy flights as soon as in the next few weeks.