The Italian government approved a draft decree on Thursday, December 23, 2021, that was made official on December 25, 2021 when it was published in the country's Official Gazette.
Here is a summary of the new restrictions, effective immediately through the end of the current state of emergency, March 31, 2021, unless otherwise noted:
- Face masks required outdoors throughout the country, including in white zones, until January 31, 2022.
- N95 masks (called "FFP2" in Italy), not surgical masks, required on public transport and long-distance transport such as trains, buses and domestic flights. They are also required in particularly crowded venues such as sporting events, concert halls, cinemas, theatres, and stadiums, and food is not permitted to be consumed in these venues.
- Starting January 10, 2022, a super green pass (full vaccination within past nine months or recovery certificate within past six months) will be required for entrance into museums and cultural venues, as well as for consuming food or drinks standing at the bar, pools, gyms, wellness centers, thermal complexes and gaming halls, with the exclusion of children under 12. (Thus far a basic green pass has sufficed for entrance to these venues).
- Starting February 1, 2022, the green pass will be valid for six months from the time of the most recent vaccination.
- Outdoor celebrations such as concerts and events are banned until January 31, 2022. This means any planned New Year's celebrations in public squares are effectively cancelled.
- Random Covid checks at borders: the government has ordered random Covid checks via antigen or molecular tests for travelers entering the country at airports, ports, train stations and land borders. If a traveler selected for a random check tests positive, he or she will have to quarantine for 10 days.
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Thank you! so wearing mask outdoors everywhere - as soon as you leave the house?:)
Yes, that's correct.
Thank you for this useful overview! how about restaurants on NY? Will these be also closed?
Ciao @Irina, you're welcome! We're glad you found us here at the ItaliaPass community.
Restaurants are allowed to be open on New Year's Eve, but usually they are booked far in advance because they offer what is called the "Cenone," which is an elaborate multi-course menu to celebrate. So if you have a particular place in mind for New Year's, make sure you get in touch and secure reservations. Also, you'll need a super green pass to access indoor dining (vaccination certificate with most recent dose within past nine months or recovery certificate with recovery within past six months).
Does "full vaccination" include 2 doses or the third one too?
I am vaccinated with two doses in the past 6 months, does that qualify for a super pass?
Yes, full vaccination means two doses at the current time. For the super green pass, the validity is nine months starting from the time of the second dose (or for those with three doses, from the time of the third dose).
Starting February 1, 2022, the vaccination certificate green pass will be valid for six months from the time of the most recent dose.
We are planning to come on 1st of February to Lazio (Rome). My daughter is 16 years old and she's not entitled for the 3rd booster dose. Actually none of the children in the EU up to 18 are entitled for the booster dose. However she is vaccinated with the 2 vaccine doses. The most recent was on the 2021-07-09. Does she qualify for the super green pass?
Hello @Saulius and thanks for your question.
Italy is offering 3rd-dose booster shots to 16 and 17 year olds starting January 27.
As I understand it, with the new six-month expiration date on vaccination certificates going into effect on February 1, you have to count six months from the date of the last dose.
With the way you've written the date, do you mean that your daughter had her 2nd dose on September 7, 2021, or July 9, 2021? Just to be sure I'm not reading incorrectly.
If it was July, then on February 1 her vaccination certificate in Italy would be considered expired as of January 9, 2021. If it's September, then as of February 1 it will be considered valid until March 7.
Thanks @Shelley Ruelle for your prompt reply. Yes it was July. Unfortunately we can't get the booster dose for the children 16 and 17 olds in our country. So I'm afraid her certificate will be considered expired. And I can't do anything about that. Do you know if there will be any further changes to this regulationfrom February 1 st? I appreciate your help
@Saulius The government hasn't mentioned any other changes at the moment, but things can get modified at a moment's notice, unfortunately, based on the current Covid situation. As of today, January 4, there are 1,190 infections per 100K people and rising, with over 102,000 new infections reported daily. So if anything I would expect regulations to tighten in the coming weeks before loosening back up once the Omicron wave subsides.
Thanks a lot @Shelley Ruelle . I have changed my flight to 18th of January. So in January my daughters certificate will match the criteria of 9 month expiration
Yes, that makes sense, because from one day to the next starting on February 1, the certificates from January will suddenly lose three months of validity!
Hello, thank for the information you provide, I find it very useful! However, I'm little bit confused about the super green pass - as a foreigner and european citizen I have EU covid certificate, so, is this valid as super green pass or should I get some special app or document to show/declare that I'm vaccinated? And one more question - is there any sign that covid restrictions might be more strict in following days? Thanks a lot! Happy holidays!
Ciao @Kristyna Holoubkova and welcome to our community! Yes, your EU Digital Covid Certificate through vaccination or recovery is the super green pass in Italy (valid nine months for vaccination, six months for recovery). Show the QR code from that when you're asked to show the super green pass here in Italy.
The latest restrictions are the ones I detailed in this post. I'll add other posts if additional restrictions come out, but so far these are the latest - nothing else was announced on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Ciao! Is the basic green pass allowed for entrance into Vatican City as well as the churches/exhibits?
The basic green pass is sufficient for entrance to museums through January 9. Starting January 10, a super green pass will be required. You can enter Piazza S Pietro without a green pass, but if you're going past the Swiss guards into the actual administrative city part of the Vatican (not usually where tourists go because you have to have a reason), a green pass is required. A green pass isn't needed at the current time to enter churches. Here is more info about visiting the Vatican: https://va.usembassy.gov/visiting-the-vatican/
Thank you so much. I was reading this site https://www.italia.it/en/covid19?fbclid=IwAR2pzIJLYZIvdw-8wZ42ExaEfthyPi64f0AN9OS3spZV9LUe_7rPxyM7iSI
and it stated the Super Green Pass was required for museums and places of culture so I was really confused.
Wow, yeah, you're right that's misleading because the super green pass requirement for museums doesn't actually come into effect until January 10 (that's in article 8 of the government's new decree). Maybe they just want to err on the side of caution since it's changing in just a couple weeks.
Thank you for the information 🙏🏼
Hi, thanks for this Info. So in the US, 13-15 year olds can’t get boosters- my 13 and 15 year old kids had their 2nd dose last June, so if we travel in March they will not be allowed in museums because they won‘t have the equivalent of a super green pass, correct?
Posting the link to the answer here: https://community.italiapass.com/post/hi-i-ve-planned-a-trip-to-italy-in-march-with-my-2-teen-girls-who-have-both--61cb1f78c431323e54000747
Susan! If you check the CDC website it states teens over 12 can get the booster BUT it has to be given at least 5 months after the second dose.
However - not that you want to chance it - when we went to Italy December 22 - 30 while people checked our CDC vaccination card - they were more concerned with ensuring we got the second dose but didn't do any calculations about the timing of my second dose.
Again I went in December when things were a bit "looser".
Good luck!
Is the United States CDC Vaccination Certificate accepted in lieu of a Green Card?
@James P Kovalcik Yes, the CDC white card is the equivalent in Italy of a super green pass, so long as the most recent vaccination was within nine months, or, starting February 1, 2022, within six months. You can check information for US travelers to Italy at the US Embassy Covid-19 page here.
James - I just wanted to add that your CDC white card totally works - you sometimes just have to point out the information specifically on your card - as the language barrier can come in to play. We only had trouble once - where they weren't going to let us eat at restaurant until they called the manager. It was all fine in the end but expect some bumps and be patient. It was all worth it.
Great advice @Karen B Cattran - grazie! On my end, I can add that it happens even to people who speak Italian fluently, so don't even feel bad as if it's just a tourist thing.
I have a American friend whose fiancé is an Italian attorney and when her brother came to visit from the US, and had his valid CDC white card ready to go, he was accepted pretty much everywhere except for one particular restaurant in Rome (no - don't know the name - but this is best as a general example anyways) where the people checking the super green pass refused to let her brother come in with his CDC white card even despite the fact that there was literally an Italian attorney trying to explain to the people there the government's own legislation on the matter. They just kept stubbornly insisting "If we can't scan it, you can't come in." Which of course is absurd as that's not the rule when it comes to US travelers.
I say this absolutely not to discourage you but rather to temper your expectations and give you encouragement that although there may be some places that are ignorant and/or stubborn, if you run into one of those, at least when it comes to amazing places to eat in Rome, you can always just find somewhere else that IS properly informed!
Hi!!
Can i ask.. what if my child is 16, has had one jab (4 months ago) and has recovered from covid - Dec 2021... can he get a super green pass?
@Chris C Are you coming from the UK?
yes! - sorry
@Chris C Ok, no problem. I just wanted to make sure I gave you the right information.
Since your son is 16, is he eligible to get a recovery certificate through the NHS Covid Pass app? Some other travelers from the UK with 16-year-olds said their teens had the QR codes (granted, that was for vaccination, not recovery, but from what I understand it's the same app/system that grants both types of certificates).
The problem with minors traveling from the UK is that so far NHS hasn't provided a digital NHS Covid Pass for minors. For fully vaccinated (two doses) minors, there's now the option to get a letter, but for minors who have recovered from Covid and only have one dose, such as in your case, NHS isn't providing recovery certificates, from what it seems:
"The NHS COVID Pass letter service is for international vaccination status only and not recovery or negative test results."
To make matters more confusing, in Italy technically this situation is valid for a green pass so long as the Covid infection came more than 14 days after the first dose, which seems to be the situation your son is in.
Se hai contratto il Covid-19 dopo la somministrazione della prima dose di un vaccino che ne prevede due per completare il ciclo primario, e l'infezione da Covid-19 è avvenuta oltre il quattordicesimo giorno dalla somministrazione della prima dose di vaccino (fa fede la data del primo test molecolare positivo), riceverai la Certificazione verde COVID-19 per completamento del ciclo primario insieme al green pass per guarigione.
So, what to do? Also because I imagine following recovery your son isn't eligible for the second dose, at least not right away. Could you call 119 and ask if there's a way to get an official NHS recovery letter? Or do you think the recovery following the initial dose might allow you to apply for the aforementioned Covid Pass letter service via post?
I wish I had a more concrete solution or answer for you, but the trouble here lies with the lack of proper documentation for international travel provided by NHS. Also because the UK is connected to the EU Digital Covid Pass system, which is the green pass in Italy, so there should be a way your son, and all UK minors, could get a QR code under that system. Perhaps you could contact the British Embassy on their "Contact the Italy travel advice team" page.
Note that your son's situation doesn't bar entry into Italy, because unvaccinated or non-fully vaccinated minors can enter without having to quarantine as long as they are traveling with a fully vaccinated parent. But I realize that's not much comfort considering that starting January 10, a super green pass will be needed for virtually all tourist activities, including museums, cultural sites and restaurants.
Hi, I am not sure if this helps. I have been in Italy between 24.12-02.01 just now. My son, 12, hadn't had vaccines yet, but he had tested positive for Covid on the 11.11.2021. As per recovery certificate rules, Italy accepts 90 days of recovery from Covid for super Green Pass. I have paid £20 to GP to private latter, where the GP stated the date of the PCR test and the result. The letter was on NHS headed paper, from the NHS GP practice. I have also requested GP to "link" my son's NHS account on NHS app where you can show laboratory tests results for PCRs. I have never needed to show it actually. But as there is no required format of this from UK, I thought this is the best we can go with. We have been to a restaurant only once - the waiter asked for mine and my husbands Covid Passes( we both vaccinated), however he hadn't even asked for my son's status. But I hope it helps in your query.
Thanks so much @Julia Kovaliova - every traveler's experience is helpful for us to gain more knowledge and understanding about how these regulations are being put into practice out in the field. UK travelers have had a particularly confusing time.
Where did you read the regulation about the 90-day rule? Do you have a link to that information? I'd be curious to have a look. Currently in Italy, if you recover from Covid, you are eligible for a recovery certificate immediately after you test negative, once you contact your GP and he or she files the information. As soon as the GP uploads the information about the positive and negative tests and all the dates to the health ministry's database, the super green pass gets issued, and the validity is six months from the date of the first positive PCR test.
I'm really glad to hear you haven't run into much trouble with the documentation. It all really depends on the individual people checking the certificates and how well-informed they are, or not, about how to implement the regulations.
yes, i now read its 6 months. I don't know where exactly i found it now:) https://www.dgc.gov.it/web/checose.html
but on the link above its says 6 months of recovery
Hi,
I am in the same situation here where I have a 12 year old (13 on the second day we arrive which is the 29th of Jan) who isn’t vaccinated but has Covid recovery.
she can’t download the app because of her age and the GP will not provide proof of recovery so the only thing we have is the message from the NHS after the PCR test that shows a positive result.
I’m completely at a loss as to what to do as yes we can still travel but if she cannot get into restaurants or get in Ski lifts then we obviously have a big issue.
Has anyone had anymore clarity on this?
Thanks in advance,
did you ask if they can provide a "private" letter similar for what my GP charge me for? On the app you can link your child profile but GP must provide you with a proxy. You can find more info via Linked Profiles on your NHS app. But essentially - just ask GP to link yours and your child's accounts. Your child and you need to fill in the form thought, but it took couple of days for us. So i had both the linked profile on the app and the letter from GP.
Thanks so much Julia. Who do I ask though to link the accounts?
I just went to my GP practice, spoke to a lady at reception. For the "recovery" letter I have requested for a call from GP and explained what I need and why.
Thanks
Bradley we are in same situation, travelling skiing Feb half term, all booked and paid for. We parents are triple jabbed. 15 year old recovered from covid 28/12/21. GP not issuing private letter so currently ringing 119 for advice. I am also looking into private recovery certificate which includes a QR code but I am ringing them next. Do you know if the NHS app for 12-15 year olds will show a covid recovery QR code like the over 18 shows? This loophole will potentially cost families holidays and lost monies if not sorted! Let me know how you get on and I'll share any updates too. Thanks
Hi Sherrie, thanks for the info, massively appreciate.
So we are going to first link the profiles on the NHS app for my wife and daughter then see if there is anything they can provide on there as a record showing my daughters positive test result.
i haven’t come across the QR code via a recovery certificate so let me know how you get on with this.
we are also in the mind set of, shall we just go, with as much documentation as possible and hope that they are understanding? If it’s a case of just a ski marshal asking for proof and we can show them the test dates and they say that’s fine then there will be no problem but if it’s a case of “No QR CODE” and you’re getting kicked off the slopes then this is!
Exactly its a loophole nightmare! Just rang 119 and waited 34 minutes to get through to the wrong team grrr. My GP surgery is going to look into linking profiles but that is pointless really if our kids profiles do not show the NHS Covid status. Very frustrating!
On the profile it shows the PCR test date and result, also the name
Julia, is that your teens linked profile?
correct:) you will be able to navigate when you "link" then eventually.
Julia, on my NHS app I have a covid recovery certificate with a QR code in the same bit as my vaccine certificates. I'll try and upload it. Does it show a covid recovery certificate in the app for your daughter?
NHS app is managed by NHS. At the moment they don't provide any kind of recovery certificate that EU requires. I think they only just started creating QR codes for vaccinated teens. So the "recovery letter" I asked GP to write for £20 is just a letter, no QR code. On the App all you will see the screen I showed you earlier - laboratory tests results, date. But its still the same information just presentation is different. if you google Covid recovery certificate you will find a link to many private clinics in UK who will make you a letter with QR code( which will only take you to their website anyway). but you are paying for them essentially making a nice text with PCR test results and your child's name. My GP did the same, no QR code. I have gone to a QR code website, made my own:)and saved it to my phone in case I am asked for specific QR code. I also asked a friend in Italy if she had any info on that. She mentioned that once someone she knew from abroad came and showed them something like what I have from UK- a private letter and it was accepted as they know we are tourists.
Julia, how long did it take roughly to get the link done?
2 days, but its because at GP only one person dealt with it. I had to give them couple of calls to chase them:)its pretty imminent as soon as they get your form signed and get on it.
Thank you so much Julia, this has been more helpful than any website I have come across!
I just got my link through but it doesnt show any PCR results so will ring GP back but to be honest I think the private recovery certificate will be best bet. Its a nightmare as my GP surgery are not allowed to do private letters at the moment as they are too busy!!
I had the same - i asked them to doublecheck and apparently they need to do something again to get laboratory test results showing
So much useful information here - thanks everyone for posting!
I'm in a similar situation where my son turns 12 at the end of January and got COVID in November. 119 told me as the NHS aren't generating COVID Recovery Pass, to contact my GP for a "fit to fly letter" which is the equivalent of a COVID Recovery Pass . My GP's told me they don't issue "fit to fly" letters. However, they could print off PCR Test Result on plain A4 paper - not Surgery headed paper.
In the NHS App, I can see my son as a Linked profile (I didn't request this - it was just there when I looked) but I don't see any information in it. I'll ask the GP if they can fix that for me.
@Julia Kovaliova which QR code website did you use?
https://www.qr-code-generator.com/free-generator/?ut_source=google_m&ut_medium=cpc&ut_campaign=en_top_kw&ut_content=qr_generator_exact&ut_term=qr-code-generator_e&gclid=CjwKCAiArOqOBhBmEiwAsgeLmTpzYC8MiwWm_4IlAiKotTJ25J7kid4jpreT8U0puEXitJuCjXiHshoChcQQAvD_BwE
Hi @Julia Kovaliova
This is all helpful info - I just had a quick question re linked profiles on the NHS app. If I link my daughter to my nhs app - does the linked account show her covid vaccinations - eg are they listed with dates/batch etc? Thanks so much.
My son is not vaccinated yet. But as I understood it will show his Covid vaccination if she had vaccines, Vicky. I think thats what NHS site is now saying that teens are given Covid Pass for international travel. I think you should definitely link profiles
Here's the letter that I picked up from the GP today:
It looks pretty similar to @Julia Kovaliova's screenshot of the NHS app.
Hi Bertha.
what did you ask for when you went and also, is it headed paper?
cheers
I think this look great!
It's a printout of the PCR Test Result. Unfortunately it's not on headed paper. And as you can see, it doesn't contain an "identification information of government or health authority issuing certificate" so whilst I'm glad I've got it, I'm not sure how useful it'll actually be!
Bertha you should be able to get a recovery certificate though from this I would think. Have you got the original email from the NHS with the positive result?
Thanks
What are you going to do If you can’t get a QR code?
Well apparently if you don't have a QR code then a letter showing recovery is accepted, however it depends on the person on the ski life or in the restaurant if they accept it. Pretty buggered if we can't get on the Gondola!
@Julia Kovaliova @Bradley Millard @sherrie Dick Your discussion is amazing! I can't thank you all enough - these types of exchanges are SO helpful for so many different travelers in the same situation.
So, for my part what I can tell you is that travelers coming from countries that aren't linked to the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, for example the US and Canada, don't have QR codes that can be read here in Italy. Instead, they show their actual documentation (vaccination certificate, recovery certificate) and it has to be read manually when they're asked for a super green pass. English is an accepted language for this. Unfortunately not every restaurant and venue owner enforces the rules the same; some of them are adamant that they want something to scan, even though that's not properly enforcing the rules. But generally speaking it seems in the big cities and tourist areas those checking the green passes seem to know that the actual certificates are the green pass equivalent for non-EU citizens.
So technically speaking this should apply to you as well - especially because the UK actually IS a part of the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, and for some reason that makes absolutely no sense to me, decided not to give minors a QR code - which creates real difficulties for families traveling internationally - as you have well demonstrated here!
Thanks for the message Shelley! Yes, although this is a bit of a pain, at least we should be able to travel and ski! We had to cancel France and Austria due to their rules.
As long as we can get the ski pass then this should be the biggest hurdle cleared. we are Skiing in Madonna Di Campiglio so fingers crossed they are understanding.
kindest regards,
But Bradley don't we need a Super Green Pass to get on the ski lifts? So need to show the documentation on every lift or Gondola? Or are they checking status at ski pass issue then its ok? So confusing!
Shelley, how are they verifying the super green pass for ski lift entry? Do we have to verify it for the ski pass then that's it or do they check at every lift and gondola?
Thank you.
I mean im guessing that although they reserve the right to check your vax status or recovery they aren’t going to be doing for everyone all the time. As long as we have something to show on the lifts I’m sure we will be ok, I was just thinking if we can’t even get the ski lift then we are completely stuffed!
like imagine if you lost your phone on the slopes, you wouldn't then be able to show your pass even if you had one and if that was day one of the holiday surely you wouldn’t be completely unable to ski? Who knows, it’s just all mental but my gut feeling says that we will find a way when we are there and as long as we have doctors letters etc what else can we do!
i will keep checking!
I know, there must be a way! I have emailed the embassy with the problem to see if I can get clarification on private recovery certificates as that's our only hope really. Will keep you posted.
for the vaxed people, I just downloaded the GreenPass Italia app on the app store, it is all in Italian however if you click through it should show a page that has a plus button on it and two options will come up, if you press “Carica” it will then ask that you will allow access to the camera roll, click accept or what looks like accept, if you then go into your NHS app and print screen your Covid pass it should then let you select that photo on the GreenPass app and it will put a QR code onto the app which shows the date of your last vaccine. let me know if that doesn’t make sense
Thanks, will try that later. I am just looking at the process to actually get into the country. It's a bit contradictory but I think it says that under 17's are exempt from quarantine if they are with fully vaxed parents? Assume we need the green pass for the Passenger Locator form? I'm still looking into it. So complicated!
@sherrie Dick Let me call up to a ski resort and see the protocol for the lifts re: checking passes. Do you have a particular one you want me to contact? Also @Bradley Millard same thing?
Also Sherrie re: quarantine, yes, that's correct - minors are exempt from quarantine if traveling with a fully vaccinated parent.
Also, FYI @Karen B Cattran had plans to travel to Madonna di Campiglio in December so perhaps she has some information about her experience there and how it went.
Shelley you are the gift that keeps on giving!! Thank you so much!
yes if you don’t mind, we are skiing in Madonna Di Campiglio as well, I believe though our pass should cover also Folgaruda Marilleva, Pinzolo & Pejo.
Thank you in advance for all your help
@Karen B Cattran How did you get on?
Yes please that would be amazing! We are in Sestriere. Also ask about a private recovery certificate from UK Private Doctor. Thank you so much!!
Greetings All!
I am going to brain barf all my thoughts/tips for travelling to Italy during COVID times.
Our flight was JFK - Milan (originated in Tampa though)
Problems - Delta decided that they were going to make it a temp controlled flight - meaning you had to have your temperature taken before you got on the airplane -this was fine EXCEPT they required printed boarding passes that had to be stamped. If you had a digital ticket you had to stand in line to wait until you had them print it. Easy but frustrating -
Flight was cancelled (ultimately after 6hrs of delays) so had to spend a night in NYC and then had to retest at JFK - TIP terminal 4 has a lot of international flights so the line here for COVID test had 250 people. Terminal 1 is usually not busy - should you run into this issue. I would recommend delaying your COVID test to the last possible minute - which in this case is 72hrs from ARRIVAL in Italy (Italian time) so when you are taking the test in the US you have to match up the time difference. THEY TOTALLY CHECK THIS!
Ski Resorts - We had a great time in Campiglio - cannot stress how beautiful and amazing the skiing was. To give some background we lived in Denver for 10 yrs and had a townhome in Vail - so my family is experienced in skiing (kids since they were 5). Campiglio is STEEP - their interpretation of family friendly was a little different. If you have the ability - hire a guide - it is so invaluable if you have not skied the Alps before.
Tickets - SKI.IT | Skiarea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta Val Rendena Val di Sole
Dinner/Lunch - download the fork app. - It is extremely useful for making dinner reservations. Northern Italy's cuisine more closely resembles swiss and german - the fork is helpful if that type of cuisine is not your thing. :)
At the time we went they were only doing tickets online -a really unique thing I hadn't ever seen is Campiglio sells hourly tickets - so if you just want to hop on for a few hours your first day it is super easty to do.
US Covid Vaccination Cards - I never tried to use the digital version of my card. We carried them everywhere - you will need them to get on the chairlift etc. What I did frequently is show them where the details of the vaccinations were - Pointing out where is said Pfizer or Moderna , the date etc. Confirming other experiences of other travellers it is a total crap shoot - some barely looked at them some when over every detail, some literally had to make phone calls to let us be seated for dinner. All in all, everyone was kind, patient and it just requires a little more effort.
I would also mention that we ended up getting our 12yr old vaccinated due to his private school's requirement. Also my son had a moustache at 10 so I felt noone would believe his was under 11. :)
Travelling home - we had to fly through Paris - so even though we didn't go out side of the airport we had to stand in line and have someone verify our COVID vaccination card - noone from Delta mentioned this we found out the hard way - so if this applies to you look for the long line and get your COVID test and vaccination records re-veirfied
On our way home we did took these tests with US - CDC recommends - BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test | Abbott Point of Care (globalpointofcare.abbott)
Super easy agent administered test. A proctor is available 24hrs to watch you swab yourself and then verifies your results. Each test takes 25 minutes so expect a couple hours for a family of 4. Ready in 15 minutes. Super easy and really glad we brought these with us.
Please feel to reach out with any regional specific questions. We stayed in Milan a couple of nights coming home - happy to give tips there too.
I also apologize if any information is stuff already known. :) I don't want to assume anyone's a novice here but some of this was stuff was new to me and I travel a ton.
BTW - Even with all the hassles etc. was totally worth it.
Karen
@Karen B Cattran THIS. IS. AMAZING. Thank you so much. And no, NONE of this is stuff that is already known here because our community is so new we haven't even had a public launch yet. So your contribution is truly invaluable.
I'm so glad to hear you had a great trip, despite all the extra waits, checks, and new experiences due to the Covid regulations. Also, as an experienced skier your observations were really interesting to me! I've never skied in my life! (Too clumsy and certain I'd break something.)
I will definitely take you up on your offer to share about Milan when I spot a member who is looking for tips. We are still building out our "local experts" program so at the moment I still don't have a designated point person for Milano yet.
Definitely keep our community in mind for the next time you travel to Italy and we would always be happy to have you help us out here answering questions for travelers in the meantime! As you said you're an experienced traveler, you're the kind of "super member" who can help so many people!
@sherrie Dick - I wanted to mention that if I'm not mistaken, @Jonathan Mole is in Sestriere at the moment so perhaps he can let you know what the situation is like.
Ooh thank you!
Just found and installed the Green Pass Italia app:
and used it to scan the QR code in my NHS App. This generated my GreenPass (I've obscured the details) below:
The info for this app tells me it's verified with the 'VerificaC19' app, which I guess is what the restaurant owners, ski pass people etc are using to verify a GreenPass:
So I installed that too, chose "VERIFICA RAFFORZATA"
and scanned my GreenPass and got a "Certificazione valida" (Valid certification)
Just out of curiosity, I used VerificaC19 app to scan my NHS QR Code directly, and that also worked !!!
Does anyone have a COVID Recovery QR Code that they can try scanning using the VerificaC19 app? If so, does it pass?
@Julia Kovaliova Can you try scanning the QR Code that you generated yourself using VerificaC19? Does that pass? Suspect the QR Code is encrypted...
@sherrie Dick @Jonathan Mole hI, I'm coming to Sestriere mid Feb and wondered how you were getting on Jonathan. I have vaccinated 12 yr olds (2 jabs), travelling with parents. Also, 12 yr olds who had covid with 6 months and will have had one jab. We are trying to get all the proof we need for the super green pass. If we can't get a GP letter are the private ones that you pay for accepted? How is it all working with ski lifts?
Bertha, I can confirm my recovery QR code ftom the NHS worked on the Verifica App. I have been told I can get a private recovery certificate with a QR cpde but they cant be 100% the code will scan. My friend is over in UK from Oman at the moment and we tried their vaccine QR code which did not work so it has to be EU compatible. No point paying extra for private QR codes if they don't scan!
Julia, would be interesting to see if yours works?
So we know that the recovery QR codes work but we are stuck in terms of getting one for under 16s am I right there, just want to make sure I’m keeping up with this all!
thanks
Yes thats correct, I'll try upload my recovery cert then you can scan it to test it. Just can't get one for under 16's unless the private ones work but until we've paid for it we won't know
Good to know that it works!
@Shelley Ruelle any update on the ski lift protocol? Are they checking the green passes or is that just for the gondola's?
Thank you
@Michelle Casillas At Madonna di Campiglio, they told me the super green pass gets checked when you purchase your ski pass and then every day when you first enter the ski area, they recheck the pass once for the entire day, so you don't have to keep showing it every time you get on the lift.
At Sestriere and the other Vialattea ski areas, their FAQ has a rather strange wording: it specifies that skiers are required to have a valid super green pass but the ski area isn't obligated to check it. It says random checks could be carried out at any time by ski area workers or law enforcement.
Good to know!
Just to make sure everyone saw this post as well, that I was told today that recovery certificates without QR codes that meet the same information standards as Italian recovery certificates are valid as super green passes at Madonna di Campiglio. I need to also call up to Sestriere and will report back.
Thank you so much! @Shelley Ruelle
You're welcome!
Also, @sherrie Dick one of our members was kind enough to alert me to the fact that when the QR code on your pass was scanned, it showed your name and birthdate, so I blurred the QR code to protect your privacy.
Oh thank you didn't think about other people scanning it!
Hi everyone especially @Shelley Ruelle @Bradley Millard I’m so excited I’ve come across this discussion. We are in exactly the same situation. Due to travel to Sestriere for U.K. half term. We are all fully vaccinated apart from my 13 year old who has had one vaccine and then caught covid mid December.
I Have exactly the same query really about whether we can get into our accommodation restaurants ski lifts etc in sestriere with a covid recovery certificate that can’t be linked into the NHS system as they don’t provide to under 16’s.
I was also tempted to get a private certificate with a QR code but then worried it would t be recognised. please keep us updated with whether Sestriere would accept a Certificate that can’t be entered onto an app. X
Hi Hannah
We are in exactly the same situation so I can tell you what I know so far! We also going to Sestriere half term. So we cannot get a QR code that links the the NHS unless it comes from the NHS which they will not issue, even fee paid my GP wont do it so we have to go to a private Dr to get a recovery certificate. There are several online to choose from. Once we have the recovery certificate we need to get a sworn translation done which again I think we can get done online but not sure about the "sworn" bit but can definitely get it translated. This is our best bet. Shelley has been amazing and is going to contact Sestriere ski pass office and find out what they need and how it works to get lift passes etc. As far as I have experienced there is no other way unless your GP practice will do a private letter of recovery, seems some do and some don't which is not helpful! If you get the NHS App linked profile it may show the vaccinations but there will be no QR code so not sure if it is worth the hassle although if your GP will do it it is something else to have as proof. I'd print the email out from the NHS with posiitve result and just take everything you can. Hoping by the time we go they would have had a month of it in resort and will be used to all the different documents.
Thanks @sherrie Dick. In a weird way its reassuring to hear from others in the same boat, you don’t feel quite as alone in this debarcle, and as you say if there are many of us they may have become au fait with it by then.
Even worse we live in Wales so don’t even have access to the NHS App! We just have NHS online so can’t even link profiles.
yes I think your plan sounds a good one. will wait with baited breath to hear feedback from Sestriere.
Another member, @Jonathan Mole , was in Sestriere these past few days; although he didn't have the recovery certificate issue, he may want to share some of his experience there during this time of the super green pass, to let us know how easy or difficult it was to actually get on the lifts, etc., and how accommodating or not the personnel were for UK travelers. It would be interesting to hear!
I'm still waiting on a written response to my inquiry but I'm going to call up there tomorrow to see what they say.
🇬🇧 New community group just for UK travellers to Italy 🇬🇧
For everyone who wishes to discuss issues pertaining specifically to travellers from the UK, I've created a group just for you. This way you can find helpful discussions all in one convenient place without having to bounce around through different threads.
To join, follow this link and click Join Group.
Thanks again Shelly you are helping so many of us have hope we may still get to ski and not lose our family holiday x
Been sat reading these posts tonight suddenly feeling a little less worried. Going to Madonna do camp feb half term with a 12 and 14 year old, in vaxed but with a COVID recovery email from the nhs. Thanks to all on hear sharing their experienc; really very helpful. Thanks
Hi all,
So I have managed to get a certificate of recovery from my GP practise and I thought I would explain how I did it and i will upload the imagine of it.
So I rang the GP and asked to speak to the practise manager, when I spoke with the manager I just said something along the lines of “Hi Jackie, thank you for speaking with me today, I’ve got a issue which I am hoping you could help me with” I then just went on to explain that i need a proof of recovery fir my daughter to be able to get into restaurants etc on our up coming holiday and I’ve found it extremely difficult to get anywhere with 119 etc and they have all pointed me back into the direction of my GP practise. I said that I needed a letter of recovery showing the details of my daughters positive test result, I then went onto say “Now I completely appreciate you must be extremely busy at the moment and are not obliged to do this however if you would be able to take a moment to get one of your gps to complete this form I would be very grateful“ I said I was more than happy to pay for it and that I can bring a letter to the surgery explaining exactly what I need.
At this point she said that they don’t normally do letters and I just said can you please just ask the partners of the practise if they would make an exception in this circumstance as I have no other alternative at the moment.
She said ok she will speak with them and they agreed at this point. I paid £30 and they provided me with the letter. I will upload it below.
I hope this is sufficient and hopefully the above could help you get the same.
Well done you! The Practice Manager of my GP said no! I have booked private recovery certificate now. Hoping your letter is enough but I think you still need a sworn translation to go with it.
Well done! I had been told on good authority they weren't doing it so you've done well to get this. We are getting them through a private GP. I'll let you know how I get on. Thank you!
Great news @Bradley Millard - it's a relief to know you have what is required and can now look forward to your trip! I've also just spoken to my GP on the phone and she has agreed and confirmed that once my daughter has the second dose on 5 February - they will then print out proof of both vaccinations (on their headed paper if needed). We can't get the 12-15 year old Covid NHS travel pass letter in time before we fly a week later on 12 Feb - so hopefully this will be sufficient to prove her vaccine status in the hotel and at ski lifts.
For anyone in the same situation - proving double vaccination status for a 12-15 year old in order to have super green pass status - the GP surgery said they weren't doing GP letters at the moment but that printing out proof of their vaccinations from their medical record was ok. I think they have to provide this info if you ask for it.
@sherrie Dick ahhhh yes I completely forgot about this. what does a sworn translation actually mean? Is it just getting the letter translated?
cheers
Yeh basically and its certified. I found a place in London that do it if you want the info? Hopefully be less than £50
@sherrie Dick yes please! Just got quote for £144!!
I just rang them and they quoted me £54 for the page.
Yeah what company is it please?
https://translayte.com/certified-translations?utm_term=Sworn%20Translation%20Uk&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuP-OBhDqARIsAD4XHpcSyCzsIaPZJhatEuzdgr5S9s1_QF3NCj35QeOvlffVV993aFt7ElQaAlBGEALw_wcB
Thanks Sherrie!
@Shelley Ruelle looking back at the post you kindly wrote re skiing in Madonna Di Campiglio there wasn’t a mention of a sworn translation needed. Just before I pay out money for this, is it necessary or will having it in English suffice?
@Tom Mac happy reading!
Hi all,
Thanks a lot for the clear and concise information. I'm from Spain. I have a trip planned for Rome from the 4th to the 7th of February. I was vaccinated with 2 doses, the last one on the 4th of August 2021. That means that with the new restrictions, my covid passport is NOT going to be valid just on the day after my arrival since they just reduced their validity period from 9 to 6 months.
In Spain, my age group is not getting booster shots yet, so it's impossible for me to get a booster before my trip. ¿Is there any way to extend my green pass just for 2 days? ¿Making a PCR or antigens? My girlfriend is travelling with me, but she had her second shot on the 10th of August, so she should be fine.
Thanks a lot for your help.
Ciao!
We are a UK family who are going to Madonna skiing (hopefully) in Feb half term. My doctor has agreed to write a private letter for my 13 year old who had Covid in October 2021 for £20.
I also got proxy access to their medical records on my NHS app.
We have emailed Madonna lift pass website to ask if they will accept this as proof of recovery of Covid.
I will let you know when I hear back!
SUPER GREEN PASS ITALY (10 January– 31 March 2022)
For full details on the Super Green Pass needed in Italy please see https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/coronavirus#green
Please also take note of the rules relating to Public spaces and travel within Italy described at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/coronavirus
A Super Green Pass, also known as an EU digital COVID certificate, certifies full vaccination or recovery.
From 10 January until 31 March a Super Green Pass is required to access restaurants, bars, hotels, all local and regional transport services (excluding taxis and international flights) as well as museums, cultural centres, sports facilities and stadiums. A super Green Pass is also needed to access outdoor facilities such as restaurants, swimming pools, wellness centres, ski lifts and to participate in celebrations following civil and religious ceremonies.
Children aged 11 and under are exempt from presenting a green pass and Super Green Pass (see below).
Italy will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record as the equivalent to a Super Green Pass as long as it is in the form of a verifiable digital QR code. 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.
NHS COVID PASS and COVID PASS LETTERS
For further information on the NHS Covid Pass, please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass
12-15 year olds, who have received a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccination in England, can request an NHS COVID Pass letter online via NHS.uk or by calling 119, or by asking a parent or guardian to request the letter on their behalf.
For further information, please see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/get-your-covid-pass-letter/
RECOVERY LETTERS
Proof of Covid recovery for minors aged 12 – 15 years cannot be obtained via the NHS Covid Pass Letter service (only via app, which is not currently available to this age group).
Proof of Covid recovery must be requested in the form of a letter from your GP and must contain the following information:
All certifications of recovery, in paper and/or digital format, must be accompanied by a sworn translation.
https://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/renderNormsanPdf?anno=2021&codLeg=81917&parte=1%20&serie=null
@Joely van Zyl This is great! Where did this text come from? It's very helpful, I'd like to be able to link to it in the future if anyone needs it; but I don't see it on the UK.GOV Italy travel advice page.
The information is from links I found on your site and in conjunction with my tour company and their conversations with relevant government officials. She phoned the Italian Covid line to confirm it all...which they did.
The text is part of communications with my tour company.
And this link...
https://www.dgc.gov.it/web/faq.html
This isn't the home page I don't think but I don't speak Italian. There were also links to Ministery of Health through this providing relevant info. The text above is a compilation of everything we researched and found out. Because the tour company can't advise without confirming it all with authorities I'm going with confidence that they've checked everything. As I said, she phoned the Italian covid line too and they confirmed it to be correct. I have a translation of the Ministery of Health document but you speak Italian anyway and it is in in the bottom link.
Also, not everyone is tech savvy and there have been options to have documents in paper form and so I'm taking all downloads and transactions and anything relevant with links, print outs, pdf etc! all just in case!!!
The info in my last post has been confirmed in a phone call to covid helpline in Italy. I'm adding the doctors gmc numbers. Good luck everyone. I have a translation of the Minisry of Health circular too if needed (not by me!). Link to Italian version is at the bottom of last post.
Thank you Julius good luck too 🙏🤞⛷️