Italy – State of Emergency Extended, Testing for British and Dutch Visitors

Italy–Ext. State of Emergency, Updated Visitor Testing

Following increasing infection rates for COVID-19 in Italy, the Italian authorities have approved the extension of the existing state of emergency until 31 January 2021. The government has introduced further requirements for testing individuals coming from other EU countries, now adding the U.K. and the Netherlands to countries of origin from which travellers are subject to a mandatory testing / quarantine.

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Following increasing infection rates for COVID-19 in Italy, the Italian authorities have approved the extension of the existing state of emergency until 31 January 2021.1

With infection rates on the rise in many European Union (EU) countries, Italy has not limited movements from such countries, but it did introduce a requirement of proof of negative coronavirus results via swab tests or molecular tests when travelling to Italy or soon after.  (For related coverage of EU policies regarding travel into/out of and around the EU, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-328, 24 July 2020.)

The extension of the state of emergency allows the government to change laws at short notice in response to the pandemic.  

WHY THIS MATTERS

Under its powers, the government has introduced further requirements for testing individuals coming from other EU countries, now adding the U.K. and the Netherlands to countries of origin from which travellers are subject to a mandatory testing / quarantine regime on arrival in Italy.  Therefore, travellers and global mobility managers with employees from those two countries moving/travelling to Italy should be prepared to undergo testing.

Also, wearing a face mask is now mandatory when outdoors, in all parts of Italy, save only for circumstances where there is clearly nobody within a “visible” distance in non-urban areas. Substantial fines exist for non-compliance. 

State of Emergency Extended to 31 January 2021

While COVID-19 is still spreading on a global scale, conditions to keep the emergency law provisions still exist.  The ongoing state of emergency allows the government to react to rapidly changing conditions, with the aim of preventing

further spread of the virus.  

Italy’s parliament, following the proposal of the government, approved on 7 October the extension of the state of emergency until 31 January 2021.  Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much prevalent and in some areas of the world, amplifying, the state of emergency allows the government to react rapidly to pandemic-related developments with less bureaucracy entailed and with special law provisions that can be approved under such special circumstances.2

Trips across the EU Might Require Tests, Entries from Third Countries Unchanged

Following the new Decree from the government and considering the developing situation in the EU, the Ministry of Health has published new rules about entries from some EU countries that are as follows:

  • People who enter Italy and who have transited or stayed in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Spain, the Netherlands, the U.K. in the past 14 days before coming to Italy, must:

1       notify their entry into Italy to the Italian local health-care authorities;3

2       show the airline crew or border authorities the results of a swab test or molecular test with a negative result taken within the last 72 hours;

3       take a swab test or molecular test when arriving at the airport, port, or any point of entry into Italy, or within 48 hours of one’s entry, to the local health-care authorities -- if it is not possible to take the test by this time or until they take it, people will need to quarantine until they actually have it done;

4       appropriate checks with the airlines should be made in case they apply certain measures or legal provisions of other countries or different/more restrictive rules.   

  • Categories of individuals that are exempted from such requirements are: crew members, (for airlines and shipping lines), international hauliers, and those who enter Italy according to special security protocols, and a few others.

FOOTNOTES

1  For prior coverage of Italy’s state of emergency measures, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-347, 7 August 2020.

2  Decreto Del Presidente Del Consiglio Dei Ministri n.125 del 07 ottobre 2020.  For the text (in Italian), see: https://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/dettaglioAtto?id=76574 .

3  Ordinanza del Ministero Della Salute 07 ottobre 2020 (Delibera del consiglio dei ministri 07 ottobre 2020).  For more (in Italian), see:  https://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/dettaglioAtto?id=76573.

*  Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not offer immigration services or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

 

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Italy.

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