Italy is introducing mandatory testing and a five-day quarantine for visitors from Britain, in another blow to summer holiday plans.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced the new regulations on Friday, as concerns grow over the spread of the highly contagious Indian variant.
The new measures will come into force on Saturday and follows similar bans by France, Austria, and Germany, which have already introduced varying curbs on those entering from Britain.
Italy is introducing mandatory testing and a five-day quarantine for visitors from Britain, in another blow to summer holiday plans
Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced the new regulations on Friday, forcing Brits who travel to Italy to test and quarantine for five days
Britain on Friday said there had been a 79 per cent increase in weekly reported cases of the Delta coronavirus variant, which was first identified in India.
Britain on Thursday recorded 11,007 new daily coronavirus cases, with the emergence of the Delta variant pushing the figure above 10,000 for the first time since late February.
The variant now comprises 91 per cent of sequenced cases, Public Health England said.
Italy is currently on the UK’s so-called Amber list, meaning visitors must quarantine for 10 days on their return and take two tests – on day two and day eight – before the are released.
Italy is currently on the UK’s so-called Amber list, meaning visitors must quarantine for 10 days on their return and take two tests – on day two and day eight – before the are released
It comes as it was announced double-jabbed British holidaymakers could be given the green light to fly to nearly 170 countries from next month under new government plans.
Those who are fully vaccinated will provide evidence via the NHS app at border controls and then be able to enjoy trips to amber list nations without having to isolate for 10 days upon returning home.
The idea would see travellers obliged to take several PCR tests on their return, but if they come back negative, they won’t have to remain stuck in their homes like under current rules.
Italy has been one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but infection rates have fallen sharply in recent weeks
Italy was one of the worst hit European countries but cases and deaths have declined rapidly in recent months and restrictions in much of the country have been lifted
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi warned his government would impose mandatory quarantine for British travellers if the Delta variant continued to spread at the G7 summit last week.
Italy will simultaneously lift curbs on travellers from the United States, Canada, Japan, and other European Union states who meet the requirements of the so-called Green Certificate issued by the EU.
That digital Covid certificate, which comes into force on July 1, will demonstrate whether a bearer has been vaccinated against Covid-19, has been recently tested or has acquired immunity from previously contracting the disease and recovering.
Italy will simultaneously lift curbs on travellers from the United States, Canada, Japan, and other European Union states who meet the requirements of the so-called Green Certificate issued by the EU
A ban on people arriving from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will remain in place, Health Minister Roberto Speranza (pictured) added on Facebook
Currently those arriving from the United States, Japan and Canada must show a negative coronavirus test and quarantine for 10 days on arrival unless they come on one of a limited number of ‘Covid-free’ flights.
A ban on people arriving from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will remain in place, Speranza added on Facebook.
Italy has been one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but infection rates have fallen sharply in recent weeks and restrictions in much of the country have been lifted.
Spain has announced it will scrap rules on wearing masks outdoors from June 26 as Covid cases fall across the country.
It will come as a relief to those lucky enough to make it out to Spain for their holidays, especially sunbathers who might have found themselves returning with some very odd tan lines otherwise.
Currently, Spain is welcoming all fully-vaccinated tourists including Britons without the need for a negative Covid test or quarantine.
Arrivals must have received their final dose of an EU-approved vaccine at least two weeks before departure, with all vaccines currently in use in the UK qualifying.
Non-vaccinated arrivals are being accepted, provided they show a negative PCR or antigen test taken 48 hours before departure.
Spain will drop rules which made masks mandatory in all public places from next week, the prime minister has said
