Is it safe to travel to Italy now...

Tell you what... compare the covid statistics in your state to those in the countries you want to visit. Those numbers are easily found online. Then decide if you are safer at home or in Europe. We've traveled internationally a couple of times and felt safer away than at home. But each person's risk tolerance is different.

Thank you for your reply. I'm in California, so it's been very difficult these past few years. Many restrictions, masks everywhere--no fun. I've travelled to Texas in the past couple of months and they are very lenient, so is Italy more lenient or strict...

You’ll most likely be safer in Italy than anywhere in US
We have to drive to Florida later this week and I am really dreading it but flying would be even more risky.

Agree with CJean, We were in Spain last fall and felt way safer than the USA. The irony of the US Travel Warnings is that more often than not the country they listed as dangerous had lower Covid rates than the US did! We have a Rick Steves tour plan for July and an another trip to Italy in September and I am looking forward to both. In Europe the pandemic is viewed as a "medical" issue where in America it has become a "political" issue, people in Europe wear masks at this time on trains, buses and in Museums, etc, but not outdoors. I suspect this may not even be a requirement by this summer.

If you are only concerned about is "safe" to travel in Europe the answer is yes, go. If you feel that wearing a mask is a challenge to your "political beliefs" than don't go.

Keep in mind that most countries have been at a level 3 or 4 since last year, including the US, which is a level 4. You can see the map here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

Thank you for your reply. I think I'll start planning. No more masks please!!

I am currently in Rome and I feel much safer than I ever did at home.

You asked about masks. As of today, March 14, they are still required at inside venues, unless you are eating and/or drinking in a restaurant. Even then, if you get up to use the bathroom, for example, mask wearing is expected. If you do not mask up, you will be reminded to do so.

Outside, they are not required, but many people wear them anyway, especially in the more crowded areas.

While I do not enjoy wearing masks (as my glasses ALWAYS fog up) it is really not a big deal.

As for the requirements in September, it is anyone's guess as to what will or will not be required.

dmae, where masks in Italy are concerned, I believe they are required to be N95s, correct?

I live in California and wearing a mask indoors has not been difficult at all.

I've been to both Italy and Spain last September and Portugal this past January, And have always felt quite safe. If you are fully vaxed, I really wouldn't be concerned at all.

I think for most of the pandemic it was true that you were safer in Italy (and most of Europe) than in the US. But if you are talking numbers (cases per 100,000 people) the US average as of yesterday was 11 and Italy was 79 (UK 88, France 80). So going by that no you would not be safer. But by September everything could be very different. If you are talking compliance with mask wearing and such I think people seem to be more compliant in Europe than in some states in the US. But most of Europe has lifted restrictions (as has the US).

I was in Rome, Florence, and Venice in December/January and felt much safer in these places than I did in the US because many people were wearing masks (generally), vaccinations were required for eating indoors, and masks were required on public transportation and in museums. The mask requirement shifted while I was in the country to a stricter policy and this was not a problem. What it will be like in September is anyone's guess. I would definitely encourage travel now as long as you are willing to be flexible with changing requirements.

I was in Seville last fall, and felt very safe. The hotels are very cautious, and we able to get us the Covid test kit for our return to the US.

This was in the Washington Post today: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/16/covid-ba2-omicron-surge/