‘Baltic bubble’ for three Italy to open to tourists

From June 3 visitors will not have to self-isolate

Italy will throw open its arms to tourists again from early June and scrap its 14-day quarantine period as it eases one of the strictest coronavirus lockdown regimes in the world.

The move, announced yesterday, is expected to lead to a resurgence in bookings by British travellers desperate for a taste of il bel paese after weeks of their own lockdown. As restrictions began to ease across Europe, the Italian government said that from June 3 all visitors will be allowed in with no requirement to self-isolate.

Italians will also be able to move between regions, though local authorities can limit travel if infections spike.

The Foreign Office currently warns against all but essential travel to Italy and travellers have been urged to check its advice before booking — and to anticipate a possible reimposition of travel restrictions if the country sees a second wave of infections.

A spokesman for Abta, the UK’s largest travel association, said: “Italy is British holidaymakers’ third most popular destination, attracting over 3 million of us each year. Many European countries are looking at reopening borders and restarting tourist services in a managed way and many Italy lovers will be pleased to see that Italy is preparing to welcome summer travellers. But travel will only recommence once the Foreign Office changes its advice.”

Giuseppe Conte, Italy’s prime minister, enforced strict measures from early March in a bid to stem the Covid-19 pandemic which has killed more than 31,500 people in the peninsula.

To the relief of many Italians, the

beaches began to reopen this weekend and there were similar moves in France, where beaches were open for the first weekend since the country eased lockdown — though the government called for selfrestraint and police warned they would break up crowds.

Greeks also flocked to the seaside yesterday, when more than 500 beaches reopened, coinciding with the first heatwave of the year.

Italy never formally closed its borders and has allowed people to cross back and forth for work or health reasons, but it banned movement for tourism and imposed a two-week isolation period for new arrivals. The reopening will also pro

vide a boost to Italy’s agricultural sector, which is dependent on some 350,000 seasonal workers from abroad.

Following pressure, the government has allowed restaurants, bars and hairdressers to reopen this week, two weeks earlier than initially planned. However, dozens of restaurant owners protested outside Milan’s train station against the new rules for reopening and demanding more financial aid.

Shops and mosques will also open this week, but schools remain closed.

Church services will begin, but congregations will follow socialdistancing rules with empty holy water fonts.