I know you need your CDC vaccination card and you’ll need to wear a mask. But are the N95’s the only accepted mask? I read a “blurb” about it in a post from a few days back.. just want to make sure I’m prepared with what we need before we leave on September 15!
Thanks in advance for your input.
i don't think so. most locals seemed to wear surgical masks. i had kn95 masks on which i feel offer better protection though that's just me with no scientific knowledge. i did bring my masks from the usa but most supermarkets seemed to have plenty of 'mascherina' in stock. that may change with the rising case numbers in italy. on the flip side, i read here that at a paris airport they were asked to remove the n95 mask and put on a surgical mask! lastly, delta airline says masks have to be changed every 4 hours but that wasn't enforced on the flights i was on.
In Florence 5 nights last week everyone wore surgical masks when entering establishments or doing business taking public transportation. Not everyone was wearing a mask on the street or sitting in the park.
Maybe that N95 mask that they were asked to remove had a valve? Those are not acceptable here either.
If you looks at photos from street scenes in Italy now, it appears that surgical masks and KN95 are the most common. You don't see the cloth masks that are popular here ( but less effective).
All the reports I have seen say that the surgical masks are fine. Cloth masks may be as well, but they are generally frowned upon. Some countries are requiring N95(without the vent) on public transport, but I do not believe Italy has said that.
We are going in September, and will be taking a stock of both Surgical and N95 for our day bags, then replenish once there. Best to be prepared for any eventuality.
