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QUARANTINE

‘It’s a nightmare’: How Italy’s extended quarantine for UK travellers has affected readers

Following the Italian government's last-minute decision to roll on its quarantine requirement for UK arrivals, many readers have contacted The Local to share how the news has impacted their lives and travel plans.

'It's a nightmare': How Italy's extended quarantine for UK travellers has affected readers
(Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Italy’s announcement that it would extend a five-day quarantine for travellers coming from the UK has had major repercussions on people’s plans this summer.

With just one day until it was due to expire, Italy’s Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced via Facebook on Thursday evening that he’d signed an ordinance to prolong the rule until August 30th.

EXPLAINED: How travel between the UK and Italy has changed

It means that people have had to cancel their holiday plans, postpone seeing loved ones yet again, or lose business, as any hopes of dropping the restriction in Italy’s peak tourist month were dashed.

As I read Speranza’s post, I finally had to admit defeat and accept that those closest to me won’t make my wedding, after pushing it back twice already.

We said that we couldn’t go through this again – we’ve planned and replanned a wedding three times and we’re so far beyond exhausted, we’ve lost all joy for the event.

It was only going to be an intimate gathering anyway, but to not even have your few best friends there to send you off into married life is heartbreaking.

(Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

After two years of not seeing them, I was desperate for that emotional support.

To reach this point, just four weeks from the wedding day, and fall at the final hurdle is too much of a blow to delay it again. For me, there’s no dilemma – just grief for the day we will now never have.

It seems the move has affected many others too, who told The Local they were left angry and upset.

Gemma Tromans from Birmingham told us of her despair at the news, as her wedding date is also set for the end of August. This, too, is her third date and this time, she was sure that her big day on Lake Garda would go ahead.

She described the situation as “a nightmare” and “never-ending”, as she is now looking at a potential fourth date to say ‘I do’.

I feel very annoyed and deflated – the whole situation has just become so exhausting for me and my partner. The stress leading up to this and every other time has been awful for us both,” said Gemma.

READ ALSO: Ask an expert: ‘How can I still have my dream Italian wedding under Covid restrictions?’

She told us she originally had 45 people coming to the event, but each time they were forced to postpone due to restrictions they lost guests, and now have 30 people on the list.

The latest move has left Gemma nervous that the number will decrease again, and she admitted she was “dreading” telling her family and friends they’re looking at delaying it once more.

Not only does she and her partner have the headache of rescheduling, there are cost implications too.

Due to the venue requiring a minimum number of guests, as numbers dwindle, they have to increasingly fork out more to compensate.

She also pointed out that airlines are unlikely to offer refunds, as flights may not be cancelled – it’s on the the traveller to quarantine and travel is still allowed, it’s just much more inconvenient.

REVEALED: How strictly is Italy enforcing rules on Covid testing and quarantine for UK arrivals?

The terms and conditions will vary from airline to airline, but even though Ryanair allows two flight changes free of charge, Gemma pointed out that you lose the money you paid for baggage allowance each time.

Gemma and I aren’t alone in having our wedding day in Italy ruined for the umpteenth time.

Many other readers have also written to say they will now have to postpone theirs or even cancel altogether, opting to get wed in the UK after all.

Countless other holiday plans have been upended too.

READ ALSO: UK to allow fully vaccinated travellers from Europe to skip quarantine (but not tests)

Travel industry expert Paul Charles tweeted that the decision to extend quarantine is “Italy’s loss”, as many British holidaymakers opt for other destinations.

While some travellers have already decided to book elsewhere, others told The Local their holiday plans are “ruined” following the news, and are worried about how they’ll get their money back now that they can’t make it to Italy.

Mark Taylor said his break in August was booked for six days, making it unfeasible now that five of those would have to be spent in isolation – and with children.

Some haven’t had to make a call, as travel operators have taken the decision to cancel holidays to Italy.

Steve Morrow told us TUI cancelled his holiday to Sicily for the end of September, which they’d already postponed from last year due to restrictions.

He described the company’s decision as “hasty” and said he’s still waiting for a full refund from the first postponed holiday.

TUI announced that it was cancelling holidays, including flight-only and accommodation-only bookings, to Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria due to depart on or before October 31st. Other holidays to Italian lakes and mountains destinations have also been cancelled by the provider.

Many others expressed their dismay at the last-minute nature of the decision, with several people describing it as “shambolic”.

Sarah, who lives in the UK, tells us she’s been to Italy 30 times and that getting back here is the only thing that’s kept her going through lockdown.

She said: “It feels like the end of the world having that taken away.”

It’s not just British visitors affected. Emma Raymond is based in Bologna and hasn’t been back to the UK in two years. She said last night’s decision has meant she’s had to cancel her trip back to the UK, as she couldn’t afford the quarantine on returning to Italy.

Seema, who also lives in Italy, said she would miss out on a long-awaited visit from loved ones in the UK.

Others based in Italy said their businesses here have suffered, like this accommodation owner in Tuscany.

Some travellers are making the trip regardless.

People with property in Italy have told us that they’ll still travel as they need to make repairs and do maintenance work on their second home.

EXPLAINED: How should travellers from the UK quarantine in Italy?

Meanwhile others said they would wait for another opportunity – but not until after the summer.

If you’re looking to travel between Italy and the UK, you can find the updated rules for travel to both countries here.

The Local will continue to follow the travel restrictions closely. Please check our homepage or travel news section for the most recent reports on any changes to the rules.

Member comments

  1. Absolutely gutted as we were due to go next month as we do every year. What are the chances of a U-turn?

  2. Our annual trip to Positano cancelled for a second year in a row. This year was husband’s 50th birthday, on top of it. Had a special room booked, magnificent dinner…all dashed. This has simply got to end.

  3. Same as most I guess, our headache has been postponement of wedding due in May last year and now August this. Wedding companies/caterers etc have been really good to postpone but kind of takes away the excitement. Such a tricky one for all. Needs to be some clarity but I fear with non EU status that makes it harder. We can but hope this situation changes soon.

    1. Yet another consequence of Brexit, as you point out. Not one good thing has come out of it for those of us who are resident in Italy.

  4. I full well understand that disappointment of cancelled and postponed travel, but the truth is that Covid does not follow rules and public health far outweighs convenience.

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TERRORISM

Terror alerts: Should I be worried about travelling to Italy?

Italy is on its highest-level terror alert and ministers have warned the public to be vigilant over the Easter holidays - so is there cause for concern if you're planning to travel in the country?

Terror alerts: Should I be worried about travelling to Italy?

Italian authorities agreed on Monday to increase anti-terrorism monitoring ahead of the Easter holidays, with more surveillance to be carried out at popular tourist spots and at “sensitive sites”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had stressed to the public on Sunday that Italy faced “no concrete risk” at the moment, and said the country’s security and law enforcement services were “always on the alert to prevent any attack.”

READ ALSO: Italy on maximum terror alert over Easter after Moscow attack

Nevertheless, he warned that “during the Easter holidays you will need to be very careful.”

Italy has been on its highest-level terror alert since October 2023 following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, meaning the official alert level could not be raised any further on Monday.

The plan for increased surveillance and the warnings to the public in Italy came following the terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow on Friday where armed men opened fire and set the building ablaze, killing at least 133 people.

Ministers said that terror plots on this scale, organised by groups, “would be intercepted sooner in Italy” and said the main terror threat Italy faced at the moment was mainly from “lone wolves”.

He was referring to the fact that recent deadly attacks in Europe have often been carried out by a single perpetrator, not affiliated to a terrorist organisation. The profile of attackers is often isolated young men who have become radicalised.

Unlike most other major European countries, Italy has not so far suffered any deadly attacks at the hands of jihadist militants.

Experts have suggested that Italy has been able to prevent attacks partly due to lessons learned from anti-mafia policing, and that it also has a lower number of citizens at risk of radicalisation than countries like the UK or France – and therefore fewer suspects to watch.

The country arrests dozens of suspects every year on terrorism charges following surveillance operations. Earlier in March, three men of Palestinian origin were arrested in the Abruzzo town of l’Aquila, alleged to be involved in an organised terror plot.

In 2023, at least 56 foreign nationals were deported from Italy after facing terror-related charges.

Italy is generally seen as being at a lower risk of being hit by a major terror attack than some neighbouring countries. So what exactly does the raised alert level mean for people in the country?

Heightened security

While much of Italy’s counter-terrorism work goes on behind the scenes, there will be increased police and military patrols over Easter in busy public places deemed “sensitive”, including shopping centres and places of worship.

The most visible manifestation of the heightened security alert in Italy is the armed soldiers on patrol outside government buildings, tourist attractions, airports, train stations, central squares and in other busy public areas.

Unlike in some other European countries, Italy’s airports do not regularly experience bomb hoaxes and other threats. While no additional security checks for passengers are being introduced, security is likely to remain tight at Italian airports this Easter, as at all European transport hubs.

If you’re visiting a major tourist attraction over Easter or attending any type of large public event, expect a high level of security at the door.

Travel advice

So far, no country has warned its nationals against visiting Italy – the US State Department still lists the alert level for Italy as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, which has seen no change since July 2023. 

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