To curb the possibility of imported cases of covid-19, the Italian Ministry of Health has just introduced new rules for French travellers arriving in the Peninsula from high-risk areas. In a press release, the Minister for Health, Roberto Speranza, states that since 22 September, travellers who, over the last 14 days, have stayed in or transited through seven French regions considered to be high risk must report to the regional health authorities and present a negative result from a molecular (PCR) or antigenic test less than 72 hours old. A form must be presented on arrival.
If a test is not possible before arrival in Italy, the traveller will have to undergo a test at the airport. This is either a antigenic test with results within thirty minutes, or a PCR test with the results communicated within 72 hours. During this time, the person must isolate themselves. If the tests are positive, quarantine measures are implemented immediately.
Travellers arriving in Italy via a land or sea border should contact the local health agency in the region of arrival to have the test carried out within 48 hours of entering the country, and isolate themselves while awaiting the results.
The new health protocol applies to the regions Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts de France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Paris and Ile de France, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Three new French regions classified as risk zones in Germany
However, Italy has made an exception for PACA. The border travellers (Alpes-Maritime and also residents of Monaco) are authorised to come without a PCR test in the Peninsula. However, their stay must not exceed 72 hours. The measure applies to both business and leisure travellers.
What's more, the Robert Koch Institute in Germany -in charge of health surveillance in the country- placed three new French regions in risk zones on 23 September.
These are the regions Brittany, Centre-val de Loire and Normandy. A PCR test less than 48 hours old and an information form are therefore required for travellers from these regions. This is also the case for seven other regions in France.
However, the The Grand-Est region and Luxembourg are not included in this list.. Probably in order to avoid a major economic impact by disrupting the movement of border workers. However, the Institute revises the list of at-risk areas every week. It will be systematically refined at regional level from 1 October. On the same date, travellers will have to go into mandatory quarantine for five days and take a second test.
