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SARDINIA

Sardinia considers requiring Covid tests for tourists as Italian island’s infections soar

With new coronavirus outbreaks pushing Sardinia to reimpose local restrictions, health experts have urged the Italian island to resume testing inbound travellers during the peak holiday season.

Sardinia considers requiring Covid tests for tourists as Italian island’s infections soar
Beachgoers in Sardinia, one of Italy's most popular summer destinations. Photo: Andreas SOLARO / AFP

Sardinia’s regional authorities are reportedly planning to issue a new ordinance that will make coronavirus tests mandatory once more at the island’s airports and ferry terminals, after the neighbouring island of Sicily introduced testing for travellers from certain high-risk EU countries and as the national government considers requiring a Covid-19 ‘green pass’ for travel and events nationwide

The requirement would be separate to Italy’s national travel rules that allow people from the European Union and certain other countries to enter freely if they have been vaccinated, recovered from Covid-19 or tested negative shortly before their departure, and would mean that travellers face a test on arrival even if they have an EU ‘green pass’ or equivalent.

Multiple local outbreaks have pushed Sardinia’s incidence rate to the highest in Italy, according to early figures from the national weekly health report, which is due to be published in full later on Friday. 

READ ALSO: Four regions in Italy at risk of new restrictions as coronavirus cases rise

Over the seven days to July 11th, Sardinia recorded 33.2 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to a preview of the data published by news agency Ansa. Only one other region had an incidence rate over 30: Sicily with 31.8.

Sicily, which like Sardinia is a popular summer destination for both domestic and international tourists, has already made Covid tests compulsory for travellers arriving from Spain, Portugal or Malta.

“It would be wise to reinstate checks for people arriving in Sardinia from overseas,” the leaders of the island’s association of doctors said in a joint statement quoted by La Stampa. “Carrying out a molecular swab after arrival would be an important step that could help identify possible cases of the Delta variant and other less-known strains that are circulating.”

Another wave of coronavirus infections, like the one seen on Sardinia last summer, would be devastating for the island’s economy after months of restrictions and closures, the doctors warned.

Sardinia has made coronavirus test compulsory for arriving passengers at various points over the past 18 months. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Sardinia is one of six parts of Italy where the transmission number (Rt) has climbed above 1, along with Abruzzo, Campania, Liguria, Veneto and the autonomous province of Bolzano.

Since dropping most Covid restrictions in May, the island has seen daily new infections rise from the single figures in late June to more than 100 for the past two days.

At the same time deaths have remained close to zero, with only two total in the past week. Currently 42 Covid-19 patients are in hospital in Sardinia and three are in intensive care, according to the latest daily figures.

Most of the new cases have been reported around Cagliari, in the south of the island, and Sassari in the north-west. Local clusters have prompted at least two towns – Serrenti near Cagliari and Usini near Sassari – to reimpose curfew and other restrictions, closing bars and restaurants at 11pm and cancelling concerts and parties, even outdoors.

READ ALSO: 

At least four other regions of Italy are understood to be at risk of returning to tougher Covid restrictions as infection rates rise, fuelled by the spread of the highly transmissable Delta variant.

This week’s figures indicate that 19 of Italy’s regions and autonomous provinces are now in the moderate risk category, with only Valle D’Aosta and the province of Trento classed low risk.

No parts of Italy have yet crossed the threshold that would trigger a return to “yellow zone” restrictions, however, with admissions to hospital and intensive care units remaining low.

With the Delta variant spreading chiefly among unvaccinated people, the Italian government is understood to be considering expanding the use of the EU Covid-19 health pass, currently required chiefly for international travel, to train journeys and flights within Italy too.

At the moment the certificate – which you can claim after getting vaccinated, testing negative for coronavirus or recovering from Covid-19 – is only required to avoid quarantine upon arrival in Italy, to visit care homes or attend certain large events.

Member comments

  1. “…with admissions to hospitals and ICUs remaining low.” EXACTLY. From the very beginning of this nightmare, it was always about overwhelming hospitals. If the hospitalization rate remains low, then why return to house arrest status? It will be the last nail in the coffin for so many businesses and for Italy’s economy which is already in ICU.

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For members

STRIKES

The transport strikes that will hit travel in Italy in May 2024

People travelling to, from or across Italy may face disruption next month as unions have called multiple walkouts affecting trains and public transport services.

The transport strikes that will hit travel in Italy in May 2024

Transport strikes are common during Italy’s spring months, and May will be no exception this year as unions representing rail and public transport staff have announced multiple walkouts which may affect the travel plans of both locals and international visitors.

Here’s a look at the protests that are expected to cause the greater amount of disruption.

May 1st – Nationwide general strike 

Rail and public transport passengers around the country may face major delays and/or cancellations on Wednesday, May 1st (which marks Italy’s Festa del Lavoro, or Labour Day) due to a 24-hour general strike backed by Italy’s main trade unions.

This is expected to be one of the most disruptive walkouts of the month as it will involve staff from both public and private transport operators at a local, regional and national level.

Besides the rail and public transport sectors, ferry services to and from Italy’s major islands, Sicily and Sardinia, and motorway services may also be affected.

It’s currently not clear whether or not the protest will affect air transport on the day.

May 3rd – Nationwide railway staff strike

Train passengers around the country may experience disruption on Friday, May 3rd as track maintenance staff at Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), which owns and manages all of Italy’s railway network, plan to strike for 24 hours. 

The protest may impact both regional trains and long-distance services operated by Trenitalia and Italo.

May 6th – Nationwide public transport strike 

Public transport passengers may face delays and/or cancellations on Monday, May 6th as staff at bus, tram and subway operators around the country plan to strike for 24 hours. 

The timing and impact of the strike, which is backed by USB – one of Italy’s main transport unions – will vary from city to city, with further information on guaranteed services expected to become available closer to the date of the walkout.

May 12th – Air traffic controllers’ strike at Malpensa airport

Passengers flying to or from Milan’s Malpensa airport may face delays and/or cancellations on  Sunday, May 12th as staff from air traffic control agency Enav plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm.

Detailed information on guaranteed flights is expected to be released on Enav’s website closer to the date of the walkout.

May 19th-May 20th – Nationwide Trenitalia strike

Staff at Trenitalia, Italy’s primary train operator, will strike from 3am on Sunday, May 19th to 2am on Monday, May 20th for a total of 23 hours. 

The protest is expected to affect long-distance services as well as regional and local routes.

Local strikes

A number of smaller regional and local walkouts have also been announced for the coming weeks. A full list can be found on the Italian Transport Ministry’s website

How bad are strikes in Italy?

Strikes in Italy are frequent but not all of them cause significant disruption for travellers.

The severity of disruption caused by any strike in the country largely depends on how many staff in any part of the transport sector decide to participate.

And, even in the case of highly disruptive strikes, some essential services (or servizi minimi) are guaranteed to run at peak times. This goes for all transport sectors, from local public transport to rail and air travel.

Keep up with all the latest updates in our strike news section.

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