Starting from Aug. 6, Italians as well as foreign tourists visiting Rome and the whole of the country will be required to present the so called “Green Pass” to access a number of indoor activities, proving they are vaccinated against Covid-19.
What is the Green Pass and how do you get one?
The “Green Pass” is the unofficial name given in the European Union to what is essentially avaccination passport. It has been in use here since the last month of June and was originally required to travel abroad of one’s country.
If you’re visiting from, say, the United States, it is the same as a CDC card.
It is an official certificate issued by your local government (or a government-approved body) that can be either printed or in a digital format and stored on your smartphone or another similar device.
If you have been vaccinated in Italy, you download/access your Green Pass by using such apps as Immuni or IO, or by visiting this website (you will need to have a health card, a SPID ID or a CIE ID for this particular service).
What do you need a Green Pass for?
Under the new regulations approved by the Mario Draghi-led government, a Green Pass will need to be shown to access all indoor landmarks and museums, to have a meal at any restaurant that has indoors seating (it is not, therefore, needed if you are OK eating out al fresco) and in similar situations in bars, bistros, cafes as well as gyms (including swimming pools), sports stadiums, concert halls, cinemas.
Other establishments not listed here such as hotels and malls may want for you to show a Green Pass to access their premises.
At From Home to Rome, we are not asking you any such document to access or stay at any of our apartments: the new law does not require us to ask you that. In any case, your Roman experience may be severely disrupted should you not have one, so our recommendation is to get information on how to get one from your own country.
The Green Pass system has been devised to curb the number of Coronavirus-Delta variant cases, which is currently on the rise, and to avoid a third lockdown with curfews and other restrictions. You can read a bit more about this at the Washington Post’s official website.
Will you need the Green Pass to board trains and other means of transportation?
The Italian government is said to be considering extending the Green Pass requirement, starting September, to commuters and anyone boarding public transport, including high-speed trains to other cities.
As we write this, there is no restriction for traveling within Italy unless you decide to fly (in this instance, you will need to comply with airport regulations).
Are there any other rules to observe to travel to Italy at this time?
A Green Pass check point in France, Photo by Mat Napo via Unsplash.com
On top of your vaccination passport/certificate, we urge you to carry with you the documents mentioned at the end of the online questionnaire available at this website – in just a few minutes, and regardless of your country of residence, it will list the current requirements to enter Italy. This official online tool was devised by our government to help any traveler, whether European or from an extra-EU country, plan their upcoming trip.
We at From Home to Rome recommend to fill this and read the results, including the list of exceptions.
If ever in doubt, do reach to your local embassy or consulate in Italy as they will be able to help.
Official information by the Italian government on the Green Pass can also be found here.
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