returning from Italy

First, keep in mind you are talking nearly 4 months away. While that may go quick, it is 3 or 4 lifetimes in the course of this virus. What United sent you was nice, but may, no will all change by the time you approach your trip.

Just keep abreast of changes, this is a good resource... https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php it is the same database airlines use. Also Airport web sites can also lay out in simple terms what requirements are for those in transit.

As for your flight home; when you say "layover", what does that mean? Will you just arrive in Munich, then transfer to your flight home? Staying only a few hours and not leaving the secure zone? Staying overnight outside the airport? Staying several days? The answers greatly affect the covid requirements, both for your return and for Germany.

Right now, if you were just changing planes in a few hours and not leaving the secure zone, then you would just test up to one day before you leave Italy, nothing additional would be required in Germany for in-transit passengers.

Paul is right. And it is way too early to worry now. Unfortunately this scenario can change multiple times between now and April.

Thanks Paul your answer made it much clearer and doable. On May 13 we leave VCE to MUC (test done on May 12) We will be in MUC for an hour before leaving for the US, won't need another test in MUC to get back to the States. I understand my flights could change. I still question even going but I have time to consider and take the credit. Thanks again

Why question something that is so far away. Like I said before, 30,000 people have signed up to Rick Steves tours. They are confident. We are leaving March 28 for Italy not even think it won't happen. We'll cancel the day before if it is questionable. Flights are on points and hotels on Booking.

I too would feel fine if I was on a RS tour because they would be on top of everything. My questions come up because I'm planning on my own.

Agree with everyone that it is too early to know what will be happening in April. However, here is my experience with returning from Italy in November, albeit to Canada.

In order to return to Canada, I had to have a PCR test within 72 hours of the final leg of my flights to Canada. I also had to complete the "Arrive Can" form and have the app ready to show.

In order to transit through London, I had to fill out the UK's Passenger Locator Form. I don't think I needed a test, as a fully-vaccinated passenger, at the time, but if I had, my PCR test for Canada would likely have sufficed for that.

It wasn't easy to find a place where I could get a PCR test within the necessary time period, because my flight left very early on a Monday, and most places in Venice that offered the test were not open on weekends and did not offer the test after 9:30 am on Friday. (My flight from London to Canada left at 1:30 pm on the Monday.) However, I finally did locate one and booked it in advance of our trip. Having the test was not a problem, once we'd booked it, and we managed to arrange it so that it fit into our plans for the day (test near Pier d. Roma, where we would be catching a vaporetto to Murano). It was the initial finding of a testing site that was challenging, but that headache was before our trip, not during.

If you are required to have an antigen test, rather than a PCR, you will have more options. Also, other cities may have more options for PCR testing. Also, if the timing of your flight isn't as awkward as ours was, it should be easier.

Indeed, since the U.S. instituted the requirement to provide a negative test for entry -- that is, since late
January 2021 -- either an antigen test or a PCR test suffice.

That's not to say that they might not change the standard before you are traveling, but they have kept the same one for nearly a year now.

Thanks everyone I will continue to watch for changes. I feel more confident knowing the test in Venice is all I will need to get back to the States, I will check on the testing sites in Venice before hand too. I'm bringing a friend to Italy, this will be her first time so she's counting on me to know what I'm doing.

Indeed, since the U.S. instituted the requirement to provide a negative test for entry -- that is, since late
January 2021 -- either an antigen test or a PCR test suffice.

And for everyone's benefit, keep in mind this has changed recently. previously it had been up to 3 days before, now it is 1 day before departure. That adds complications if you are flying out on a Monday or near a holiday. It also means an Antigen test is your best bet, unless they can guarantee a PCR test within 12 hours.

United's "Travel Ready" center is helpful but not 100%. On a recent transit through Frankfurt it wouldn't let me proceed without uploading a German health form--even though United's own site clearly says this is not required if one is only transiting to another flight. This is where an United employee at the departure airport is very helpful! By April, who knows. For the forseeable future travelers need to pack an extra bag of flexibility and patience:).