Americans urged to avoid non-essential travel to Italy

Travel to Italy for non-essential purposes must be avoided due to the current coronavirus situation, the United States Embassy in Italy has announced.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 Notice for Italy regarding the COVID-19 situation, which also recommends that travellers must avoid trips to Italy unless it’s necessary, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

“The European Union (EU), which includes Italy, currently prohibits non-essential travel (i.e., tourism) into the EU for residents of most non-European Union countries.  There are exceptions for residents of a few non-EU countries, but they do not currently include United States residents,” the US Embassy’s statement reads.

Students, as well as businesspersons, European Union residents and relatives of Italian citizens, are included in the essential travel category, according to Italy’s government.

“CDC recommends travellers avoid all non-essential international travel to Italy. Travellers at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consider postponing all travel, including essential travel, to Italy.” 

Even though it is recommended not to travel to Italy, the country’s authorities have recently reopened its visa application centres abroad, resuming their services partially or entirely, following the example of a large share of European Union Member States.