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Italy no longer requires a Health Pass.
From May 1st, Italy lifted the mask requirement in indoor spaces, including supermarkets, workplaces, and shops. However, wearing masks remains mandatory on public transport, in cinemas, and in all healthcare facilities and nursing homes.
At the same time, Italy also eliminated the Health Pass (also known as the Green Card, which provides proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid-19 infection, or a recent negative test result), which was required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms, and other crowded places. However, the Green Card is still required when visiting hospitals and nursing homes.
From May 1st, tourists arriving in Italy no longer need to fill out the EU Passenger Locator Form – a complex online test required during airport check-in. (Image: liveinitalymag)
Italy suffered a significant drop in tourism in 2020 due to Covid-19. It only partially recovered in 2021, welcoming 23.6 million tourists, a 4.4% increase compared to 2020, but only about 41% of the record nearly 100 million tourists in 2019.
Greece lifts most Covid-19 restrictions.
According to information from the Greek Civil Aviation Authority, the country is lifting all Covid-19 restrictions on both domestic and international flights, except for the requirement to wear face masks at airports and on flights.
Previously, airline passengers and travelers were required to present proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test result, or recent recovery from the illness.
Greece is lifting all restrictions on domestic and international flights, requiring only staff and passengers to wear masks at the airport and on board.
In fact, Greece had already eased its Covid-19 restrictions before May 1st. On the popular tourist island of Mykonos, beaches, bars, and restaurants were packed with tourists the weekend before the Orthodox Easter holiday (April 24th).
Some tourism business owners say their business has been the best it has been in several years. That momentum is expected to continue through the extended May Day holiday.
On the popular tourist island of Mykonos, the beaches, bars, and restaurants were packed with tourists over the weekend.
Restrictions on the number of customers in indoor spaces have been lifted in Greece, but mask-wearing remains required indoors and on public transport. Experts also recommend wearing masks at large gatherings.
Before the pandemic, Greece welcomed 31.3 million tourists in 2019. In 2021, Greece received 15.2 million tourists – an increase of nearly 8 million compared to 2020, but still less than half the pre-Covid-19 level. Greece is now hoping that 2022 will be a new record year for tourism.
