Italy to Test Passengers Coming From Malta, Greece, Croatia and Spain

Italy’s government ordered passengers arriving from Malta, Greece, Croatia and Spain to be tested for COVID-19 on Wednesday, while on its list of countries banned to enter, added Colombia, after an increase in the number of Coronavirus infections.

Italy recorded 481 new cases and 10 deaths, on Wednesday obliging the country to tighten its precautionary measures in an effort to stop the further spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, AtoZSerwisPlus.Mt reports.

All arrivals from any of the above-mentioned countries will be required to undergo PCR testing, according to a signed order by Italy’s Health Minister Roberto Speranza, on Wednesday.

The minister also stressed that there would be a ban on arrivals and transit travellers from Colombia.

“We must continue on a path of caution to defend the results we have obtained over the past months through sacrifices by everyone,” Speranza pointed out.

Due to Italy’s increasing number of infections, earlier this week, the United States Embassy in Italy advised passengers to avoid non-essential travel. Still, Italian authorities reopened several visa application centres abroad, following the example of other European Union Member States.

As part of its continuous efforts to stop the further spread of the deadly virus, last month Italy demanded new precautionary measures for non-EU travellers entering the bloc.

“I would consider it appropriate to outline together new rigorous precautionary measures for arrivals from non-Schengen and non-EU areas,” Health Minister Roberto Speranza stressed in a letter addressed to EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides and German Health Minister Jens Spahn.

Italy’s Ministry of Health also decided to reopen its borders to the residents of 14 third-countries, after the COVID-19 situation in these countries was considered safe by the European Union Council. Besides Italy, a large share of European countries followed the EU Council’s recommendation.