Italy will scrap mandatory quarantine from Sunday for visitors from the European Union, the United Kingdom and Israel who test negative for COVID-19, the government says as it looks to give tourism a boost.
With vaccine roll-outs picking up pace in the EU, more countries are looking to ease travel curbs and restrictions on the hospitality sector to help it recover from the pandemic.
"We have been waiting for this move for a long time and it anticipates a Europe-wide travel pass," Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia.
The EU plans to start a unified system recording COVID-19 vaccinations, tests and recovery from June to allow more movement.
People entering Italy from these countries have so far been requested to quarantine for five days and test both before arrival as well as at the end of their isolation period.
Quarantine for other countries, including the United States, is longer.
Entry restrictions on those coming from Brazil will remain in place, the health ministry said.
The government also extended the so-called coronavirus-tested flights to cover some destinations in Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
There will be no quarantine for those who test negative upon arrival on these routes as well as on certain flights to Rome, Milan, Naples and Venice.
Although asked to supply a negative swab before travelling, passengers of these flights will be tested upon arrival and, if negative, exempted from quarantine.
Italy's health institute (ISS) said on Friday the "R" reproduction number in the country had fallen to 0.86 from 0.89 a week earlier.
An "R" rate above 1 indicates that infections will grow exponentially.
Italy has recorded nearly 124,000 deaths due to coronavirus, the second-highest number in Europe after the UK.
As of Monday, 19 of Italy's 20 regions will be designated as "low-infection" zones and only one as a "medium-risk" one.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government is also due to discuss on Monday easing or abolishing Italy's 10pm curfew.
Australian Associated Press
