Italy bans tourists from Singapore till Jan 31 next year
Singapore residents will no longer be able to travel to Italy for leisure from Thursday (Dec 16).
The Italian embassy in Singapore said on Wednesday that its Health Ministry has moved Singapore and Brunei onto a list of countries deemed to be of higher risk of Covid-19 infections.
Travellers from countries on the list may enter Italy only for work, health or study reasons, out of absolute urgency or to return to their homes. Tourists, however, are banned.
Exemptions may be granted in specific cases, such as if the tourist is a citizen of a European Union member state or has a partner staying in Italy.
The embassy said that those who are still allowed to enter Italy must self-isolate for 10 days at a declared address.
Travellers from Singapore will still be able to transit through Italy's airports to other destinations, provided they do not exit designated areas within the airports.
These restrictions will stay in place from Thursday till Jan 31 next year.
The embassy did not specify its reasons for changing Singapore's Covid-19 risk classification.
Mr Mario Vattani, Italy’s Ambassador to Singapore, disagreed with Italy’s move in comments published on the embassy's website.
He reportedly told news agency Adnkronos: “It’s a mistake, here in Singapore, cases are now at a minimum level, almost 100 per cent of the population is vaccinated.
“I want to believe that... (the tougher travel restrictions on Singapore) are the result of a clerical error or a typo.”
He also noted that the Omicron Covid-19 variant is practically absent in Singapore.
Repeated attempts by The Straits Times to contact the embassy were unsuccessful.
Flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it will contact customers on upcoming flights to Italy to notify them of the new travel restrictions.
Customers who have booked tickets directly with SIA can seek a refund. SIA also advised those who have made bookings through travel agents or partner airlines to contact their travel agent or purchasing airline for assistance.
SIA added that it will continue to operate vaccinated travel lane (VTL) flights from Italy to Singapore.
Singapore began a VTL with Italy on Oct 19, restoring two-way quarantine-free travel between the two countries. Italy had earlier opened up to Singapore.
As Singapore's VTL with Italy is unilateral, Italy's latest move will not immediately affect quarantine-free entry from the country into the Republic. This means eligible travellers who are currently in Italy will still be able to use the VTL to enter Singapore without having to self-isolate for days.
Their entry will be affected only in the case that Singapore suspends the VTL.
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