An 24-year-old from Puglia has been jailed for two years and two months for robbery, after he snatched his ex-girlfriend’s phone from her to read her text messages.
In what is said to be the first ruling of its kind, Italy’s Court of Cassation upheld the jail term after concluding that forcefully taking someone’s phone was the same as robbery, Corriere del Mezzogiorno reported.
The court also said the man, from the city of Barletta, had violated the woman’s privacy after attempting to read her private messages.
In his defence, he claimed his actions were not “unjust” because he wanted to show the girl’s father evidence of her alleged betrayal.
Anyone hoping to visit Sardinia, Sicily Puglia or Calabria this summer must remember to fill out a form stating where they'll stay and when they'll leave as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
*Please note that this article from 2020 is no longer being updated. See the latest Italian travel news here.*
Since the beginning of June, when Italy allowed travel between regions again and reopened to European tourists, most journeys in Italy no longer involve paperwork – with a few exceptions.
While tourism is allowed and you don’t need to justify your reasons for travelling, some of Italy’s most popular summer destinations now ask visitors to register with the regional authorities in order to track and trace anyone potentially bringing the virus with them from elsewhere.
The process is separate from showing your ID when you check into tourist accommodation, which is standard practice all over Italy; now it is travellers’ responsibility to give their contact details directly to regional authorities by filling in a designated form.
The requirement aims to help protect regions that have so far had fewer cases as people beginning returning home from other parts of Italy, or heading south for a beach break.
The rules apply to everyone arriving, regardless of their nationality. Here are the parts of Italy where they’re in force.
Sardinia
Italy’s second-biggest island requires anyone arriving by plane or boat to complete its ‘Sardegna Sicura’ registration form, which is available online here.
The form asks travellers for their contact details, the flights or ferries they’re arriving and departing on, their address(es) in Sardinia and a piece of ID. Visitors must also agree to follow coronavirus prevention rules such as wearing a face mask, to inform local health authorities is they develop symptoms, and to submit to tests if necessary.
READ ALSO: Ajò! Handy local words to use on your next trip to Sardinia
While you can fill out most information up to a month before your trip, you’ll also be required to declare that you don’t have any symptoms no more than 48 hours before you travel.
Airlines and ferry companies will ask passengers to show their completed forms before boarding, and will also be checking travellers’ temperature.
Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP
Sicily
Until September 30th, all visitors should register on the Sicilia Si Cura website (also available as an app).
READ ALSO: Can Sicily’s plan to subsidise your holidays save its tourism industry?
The portal allows non-residents to log their presence and health status and to alert authorities if they develop symptoms. All information is available in English.
Tourists can also call the toll-free number 800 458 787 for assistance in Italian or English.
Puglia
Anyone entering Puglia from another part of Italy or overseas must complete a form online (available here) and email it to their doctor if they’re a resident of the region, or to the local health authorities in the province where they’ll be staying if they live elsewhere (find a list here).
Visitors should also keep a record of everywhere they visit and everyone they come into contact with for 30 days following their arrival in Puglia, which they may be asked to produce in the event of an outbreak.
While the region says the requirement applies to everyone arriving by public or private transport, it’s unclear how tightly it is being policed. Meanwhile people travelling for work, health reasons, emergencies or to transport goods are exempt.
Incomers are also encouraged to download Italy’s contact-tracing app Immuni.
For further advice, you can call the region’s hotline on 800 713 931 within Italy or 0039 080 337 3398 from overseas.
Calabria
The southern region requires visitors to register online here.
READ ALSO: Seven crowd-free alternatives to Italy’s tourist hotspots
You should complete the form before you arrive, listing where you’re departing from, where you’re staying and how long for. You must also agree to inform the local health authorities if you develop symptoms.
The form is available in Italian and English.
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