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What if we're Covid positive before return to USA?

My wife and I are going to Italy over Thanksgiving. We've gained a lot of knowledge from the message board as well as from Delta. But we have a question, if we have a positive covid test before our return home, what are rules regarding where we would quarantine? We've both been vaccinated. Thanks.

Posted by
4759 posts

It may depend on where you are staying at the time you receive the positive diagnosis. You may be able to stay where you are, or you may have to find other accommodations, or you may have to go to a so called covid hotel. All at your own expense, of course. I couldn't find anything particular to US tourists, but did find this info on a UK site which provides some insight:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/coronavirus

Sorry, you'll have to scroll down to get to the relevant bits.

Posted by
113 posts

It's a possibility you'll test positive, but there hasn't been much in the news about Americans suddenly quarantined at the end of their
European trips. If it was happening frequently, we'd hear about it in the media. And I haven't seen in the RS forum any frantic posts from someone testing positive just before their flight. So while you might consider your options, enjoy your time in Italy and don't let this ruin your trip.

Posted by
305 posts

Thanks Thos. It won't ruin our trip, very much looking forward to it. We're just trying to be as educated as possible. You make a good point though, thanks again.

Posted by
13808 posts

David, this was something I worried over before my recent trip to France. I'm a solo traveler and although I did not worry about getting sick I was worried about asymptomatically testing positive. I think it's good to consider ahead of time and work out a possible plan.

Mine included asking my final hotel if they allow quarantined individuals. I've stayed there a number of times and asked in person after I got there and toward the end of my stay. The answer was that they don't check the status of their guests so they would have no way of knowing if someone were positive. Of course I could stay if there was a vacancy. OK, I thought, that's workable.

I do not know what the quarantine rules are for Italy, however, so you might want to research that. A quick perusal of the US Government's Italy Embassy doesn't indicate what to do but it may be because it changes.

https://it.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Right before I left I read Rick Steve's guide, Cameron Hewitt's blog regarding his recent European travel. He did recommend you have a digital thermometer and a pulse oximeter so I purchased them and packed them. I never unwrapped the thermometer and the pulse ox also has a relaxation function on it and I used that a number of times but never to actually check my oxygen levels.

https://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2021/09/plan-pack-prepare-pandemic-europe/

And here's his view after he'd been there a few weeks.

https://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2021/09/travel-europe-covid/

I also made sure I had my credit cards paid down so there was room on them if I had to add another 10 days or so of "vacation" on them.

I'll also say that your view after your trip will be radically different than before. I live in a covid-denial area. The places I visited in France are just taking care of business, getting vaxx'd, masking when needed and getting on with life.

Have a wonderful time!

Posted by
8377 posts

The hotel might be interested in your status if they're expected to provide food for your extended stay. Quarantine/self-isolation has some pretty stringent limitations on your movement, AFAIK.

Posted by
13808 posts

Stan, I thought so too but for France a forum poster who lives in Paris has mentioned a couple of times that you can leave quarantine between 10 and 11A each day to get food. (I did not verify that.) Also, Uber Eats and Deliveroo are ubiquitous. As mentioned before I do NOT know the rules for Italy.

I think it would be on you for obtaining your food, not the hotel to provide.

This was a concern as I'm a solo traveler but realized I had a couple of friends in Paris at the time and that there was the possibility of food delivery.

Posted by
305 posts

Very helpful Pam. Thank you. And thanks Stan. We will check our hotel. I've read that Italy has a pretty good rate of vaccination, which we're used to living in Manhattan where most are pro fax and compliant with rules. Most also masks indoors. Hoping Italy is the same. We also don't expect large crowds in Lucca this time of year. But last few days in Florence will be a little different. Thanks again.

Posted by
17637 posts

Bring a laptop and make sure your Netflix account is paid in advance. Stock the room with wine and chips. Enjoy the down time. Oh and check the US embassy website well in advance for recommended clinics.