Italy Makes Wearing Masks Outdoors Compulsory

24th December 2021

Last modified on December 30th, 2021

The re-introduction of the rule comes as Omicron continues to spread. High quality masks will need to be worn at certain venues at ski resorts including cinemas, theatres, sporting events and on public transport.

Masks need to be worn outside where social distancing is not possible so will be needed on ski lifts and in queues, but not while actually skiing.

Masks will be needed in all indoor public settings.

Ski resorts remain open and travel to Italy from the UK remains possible.

Some UK skiers and snowboarders have switched to Italy after France banned UK skiers.

Italy is doing relatively well compared to some other mountain nations, though cases are growing.

It has 346 confirmed cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of population over a 7-day period.

8-days earlier it was 215.

It is 551 in Switzerland (549 8-days earlier), 593 in France (516 8-days earlier) and 180 in Austria (296 8-days earlier).

In the Pyrenees Andorra is on 1,387 (1,712 8-days earlier) and Spain on 465 (190 8-days earlier).

In the UK the figure is 1,005.

Spain has also made masks compulsory so ski resorts will be affected by the national ban.

Many are in Catalonia where there is also a 1AM curfew.

There are also restrictions on dining in restaurants and cinemas have a 50% capacity limit.

In Italy the masks will need to be the high quality FFP2 mask in many settings inside.

These higher-grade masks will also have to be worn on board transport: on planes, trains, ferries, buses, trams, coaches and the metro.

Cervinia, Italy. Image © PlanetSKI

Here are the current travel rules for entry to Italy as reported by the UK government:

Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you travel from the UK and can demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated, you can enter Italy without needing to self-isolate. In addition:

· you must fill in the passenger locator form (EU PLF) before you enter Italy to get a QR code to show to your travel provider and Border Police. You can ask for paper form if you do not have an electronic device

· you must show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 48-hours before entering Italy OR a negative antigen test taken within 24-hours before entering Italy.

· other regional requirements may apply (see Regional restrictions below)

Italy will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record as the equivalent to a green pass.

If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must date from 1 November 2021 to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully.

Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.

If you are not fully vaccinated, to enter Italy from the UK you must:

· fill in the passenger locator form (EU PLF) to get a QR code to show to your travel provider and Border Police. You can ask for paper form if you do not have an electronic device

· show evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test, taken within 48 hours before entering Italy

· notify the Prevention Department of the local health authority of your entry into Italy. See COVID-19 Numeri verdi regionali for the contact details of local Italian health authorities

· travel to your final destination in Italy by private transport only

· remain in self-isolation for 5 days

· take another PCR or antigen test at the end of the 5 days’ self-isolation

Children under 18 do not need to quarantine if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent and (for those over the age of 6) have a negative PCR or antigen test.

Children under the age of 6 are exempt from testing.

In Italy there are restrictions on public gatherings over the holiday period.

All mass gatherings inside and outside, including parties and events, are banned until the end of January 2022.

Nightclubs and similar venues are also closed until January 31st.

The government has not said when the news measures will come into force, but it said they would cover the period until the end of January, with several measures only in place until New Year’s Eve.

Here at PlanetSKI we will be updating with further news when announcements are made.