UPDATE: Italy to further relax rules on Americans
Editor's Note
In a big update from the Italian health ministry, Americans will now be allowed to enter Italy with few restrictions. That means Americans should soon be able to arrive on any flights to Italy instead of only those COVID-tested flights we've been reporting on.
The new rules go into effect on June 19, a health ministry spokesman told Reuters.
Italy will allow all American tourists as long as they have a so-called "green pass," showing they are fully vaccinated.
Roberto Speranza is Italy's health minister, and made the announcement on Facebook:
"I signed a new order that:
1) allows entry from the European Union countries and the United States, Canada and Japan with Green Certificate requirements;
2) extends entry ban measures from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka;
3) introduces a 5 day quarantine with swab obligation for those from Great Britain."
Note that you must still get a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Italy. There are some reports only an antigen test is required, but we've been unable to confirm that.
In May 2021, Italy initially approved “COVID-tested flights” from the U.S. (on Delta from Atlanta and New York to Rome and Milan as well as on select American and United flights) that allow quarantine-free travel. Passengers on these flights, regardless of vaccination status, must fill out the digital Passenger Locator Form, present a COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival, take a rapid test just prior to boarding and then test again upon arrival in Italy. With a negative result on all three tests, travelers do not need to self-isolate.
Passengers arriving on other flights were required to self-isolate—until today, June 19, 2021, when Italy lifted a quarantine requirement for U.S. travelers (as well as those from other EU countries, Canada and Japan).
Arriving passengers must have a certificate showing proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival to Italy. The latest updates by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found here.
Related: Visiting Italy during COVID-19 pandemic
While it's great news for Americans, Italy also imposed a quarantine on all arriving British tourists as a new, more virulent strain of COVID-19 continues to spread in the United Kingdom.
The news was fist reported by British newspaper Independent. All British travelers will need to self-isolate for five days on arrival.
Italy remains on the U.K.'s "amber" list of countries meaning British citizens returning from Italy are required to quarantine for 10 days.
Related: Reopening Europe: A country-by-country guide
It comes as the so-called "Delta variant" strain of coronavirus continues to spread in the U.K. despite increasing rates of vaccination. Reuters reporting today Public Health England data shows a 79% week-over-week increase in cases of the new COVID-19 strain first identified in India. Fortunately there has not been a corresponding rise in hospitalizations.
Related: Boris delays reopening by four weeks
According to Our World in Data and aggregated by Google, 46% of people in the United Kingdom have been fully vaccinated. Just today, anyone over the age of 18 can now get a vaccine in England.
Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, of U.K.'s Health Security Agency, told Reuters, "It is encouraging to see that hospitalisations and deaths are not rising at the same rate but we will continue to monitor it closely."
Several countries are increasing travel restrictions on British travellers due to fears over the new virus strain that is linked to rising COVID-19 cases.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.