We’ve been in Rome, Naples, Amalfi, for the last two weeks and I’d have to describe the mask wearing as “occasional “. Staff in shops, hotels and restaurants wear them, often sliding them into position as you enter, but very few people out and about wear them. Outdoors practically no one. In train stations it’s about 50/50. Airports are much more strict. On the flight over, once the lights went down, most just took them off that I could see. It’s mandatory in pharmacies. All in all, not much different that back in the US.
Posted by
Central North Carolina, US
32 posts
That's good to know. Wife and I are headed there in 9 days. Thanks, Rickrack.
Posted by
6 posts
Thanks for the info. We are going in the fall. What types of masks are acceptable?
Posted by
14 posts
To add to the previous comment, 6 of us have been in Sorrento for a week. We wear our masks if we feel the area is crowded. We’ve been mainly on ferries, and they have stopped asking us to wear one. The shuttles in Capri asked you to wear one and most complied.
No taxis, shops or restaurants require them. They are not checking the type of mask so you can pretty much wear what makes you comfortable. Even on the way over, United did not check the type of mask.
I suggest keeping one with you just in case you need it or want to wear it.
Posted by
OP
172 posts
All KN95 or equivalent. I think I’ve seen maybe two or three of the regular old blue ones.
Posted by
Abruzzo Mountains
1089 posts
Enforcement is definitely getting more lax but just so you are aware of whether or not you are flouting the rules, here they are. These rules are currently in effect until June 15:
"The extended rules mean cinemas, theatres, concert halls, live music venues and indoor sports arenas will all continue to require visitors to wear high-grade Ffp2 masks.
All forms of local and long-distance public transport, including buses, subways and trams, as well as planes, trains and ships, will also retain the Ffp2 mask requirement.
Health and social care settings such as hospitals and residential homes will also continue to require masks, though the ordinance does not specify that Ffp2 masks are needed in this case."
Source: The Local - mask rules summary
Masks are not required outdoors or in shops. Many people do still put them on to enter shops, and most staff will be wearing them. As far as compliance, it's very high for public transport and health settings. I haven't been to indoor concerts/theaters etc. so I can't comment on that. I still put mine on to enter shops, as do most others.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6574 posts
The vaporettos in Venice enforced map wearing pretty well; almost everyone complied.
We're in Rome now, and most people are wearing masks on the buses. Again, almost everyone. Mask wearing is pretty spotty other than that. I have noticed that most people entering the churches are wearing masks, and maybe 30 - 50% in museums.
Posted by
Chicago
8205 posts
Forget what everyone else is doing. If you are from the USA on vacation in Italy wear your mask as much as possible if you want to lessen the possibility of getting some bad news at the end it. Covid is not going away and the USA currently will not let you come home until you test negative.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9055 posts
Amen to Jazz+Travel's comment. Common sense.
Posted by
9 posts
We are currently in Italy. So far we’ve been to Rome and Assisi. Pretty much all of the cathedrals/basilicas are requiring masks. Also trains but not at the stations. On the trains, conductors are walking through reminding riders to pull up their masks.
We have heard from some of the locals that mask requirements will be no longer once June arrives.
Posted by
The Shire
148 posts
Italy currently has one of the stricter quarantine/isolation rules. If you tested positive while in Italy and you're one of those people who continue to test positive even after full recovery; you will be required to isolate as many as up to 21 days (shorter if you test negative between 7 to 21 days) before ending your isolation!!
People who continue to test positive will need the 'Letter of Recovery' from doctor to fly home; but they won't be able to do so until after they are qualified to be released from isolation. The letter of recovery is not a 'get out of jail (isolation) free card'.
So it's best to keep wearing your mask properly to avoid this kind of situation.
Posted by
Chicago
8205 posts
Yeah. What's use of what locals are speculating about the future of mask wearing if the USA currently requires that no sign of COVID show up on that q-tip put up both of your nostrils in order to fly home?
Posted by
The Shire
148 posts
@Gail,
The last time Italy revised its Covid quarantine/isolation rules was Dec 31, 2021. You can read the detail here:
https://www.thelocal.it/20211230/qa-what-are-italys-new-covid-quarantine-rules/
Things continue to evolve; I won't be all the surprised if the 21-day isolation rule for people who continue to test positive is revised in the future. But as of now this appears to be the case based on all I can find online; maybe someone else has more up-to-date information.