Italy has added new COVID-19 measures that could affect your winter trip
Italy further tightened its COVID-19 restrictions for this winter, which could complicate ski season travel.
With snow seekers more eager than ever to return to the slopes after two winters with pandemic-related disruptions, Italian authorities extended the "super green pass" requirement across more venues and regions for anyone over the age of 12.
The pass — which can only be obtained with certified vaccination or proof of recovery, and not merely a negative test — is now a cast-iron requirement for anyone wishing to access a range of venues. Affected areas include bars, ski lifts, resorts, restaurants, spas, thermal baths and festivals. The restrictions, which went into effect on Jan. 10, will be in place until at least March 31, BTN Europe reported.
In a further kick in the salopettes for skiers and snowboarders, it comes just days after Austria also tightened its rules, demanding that FFP2 masks (a European standard) are to be worn in all outdoor settings — including on the slopes where 2-meter (about 6 feet) social distancing cannot be observed.
Italy recently hit a new record of COVID-19 cases.
The new rules are a particular blow for families with teenage children hoping to get away and shred some powder.
In the U.S., Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine can now be administered to children as young as 5 years of age. But as of this week, only about 17% of children between the ages of 5 and 11 were fully vaccinated, the AP reported.
Related: European countries with COVID-19 restrictions in place right now
Here are all the venues now requiring a "super green pass":
- All restaurants and bars, for both indoor and outdoor dining, including in hotels.
- All public transport, including local buses.
- School buses serving children aged 12 and up.
- Hotels.
- Ski lifts.
- All indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wellness centers, gyms and team sports facilities, including changing rooms.
- All indoor and outdoor spas and thermal baths except for "essential rehabilitation or therapeutic treatments."
- Museums, exhibitions and cultural venues, including libraries.
- Celebrations relating to religious or civil ceremonies.
- Fairs, festivals, conventions and conferences.
- Theme parks.
- Indoor and outdoor cultural, social and recreational centers (excluding educational centers for children).
- Games rooms, betting rooms, bingo halls and casinos.
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