Coronavirus Rome Italy - Travel questions answered

Looking for the latest news about the Coronavirus Rome?

What's the situation here? What is happening in Rome today? 

What restrictions are in place? What's open? What's closed? 

Can you plan your trip to Italy?

colosseum in romeThe Colosseum hasn't had nearly as many visitors as it should - we're so happy people are coming back now!

Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more Rome Italy news today.

Coronavirus Rome - Answers to your questions

I've had lots of questions about Coronavirus in Rome since all this began, with the questions changing over time. Now I think most people want to know simply when they can visit and what it will be like when they get here.

But there are other questions, too, so I hope to answer them here:

Please note I am not a medical professional or a public health official.

I have no authority to tell you what you should or shouldn't do about travel to Rome, Italy, or anywhere, now or in the future.

But part of what you'll find on this page is my perspective on how things are for those of us who live and work in Rome while we're dealing with the impact of Coronavirus in Rome.

I'll also give you some links to authoritative sources you SHOULD rely on if you are trying to decide whether to travel to Rome, to Italy, and most importantly, when.

Coronavirus Rome Italy

What's the Coronavirus situation in Rome right now?

The system of zone categorization has ended, as part of the pathway out of restrictions, but some rules still apply - read on to find out all the details.

Coronavirus Rome - We who live here are adjusting to an increase in visitors again

Current coronavirus rome Restrictions - Rules and Protocols

  • Across Italy masks must be worn only in medical situations, such as seeing a doctor or visiting someone in hospital.
  • The Green Pass system has pretty much been removed as of May 1 2022.

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What's closed and what's open in Rome right now?

WHAT'S OPEN IN ROME

  • Bars, restaurants and cafés are open, with no requirement to show proof of recovery, vaccination or negative test.
  • All shops are open as normal.
  • Cinemas, theaters, concert halls and live music venues are all open. A Green Pass is no longer necessary for entry, and you no longer need to wear a mask.
  • All sporting activity, including team sports, is allowed.
  • Hairdressers/beauty/nail salons and barbers are open, with no Green Pass or mask requirement - although some salons are asking their customers to continue wearing a mask.
  • Museums and cultural sites are open, without needing to wear a mask or prove your Covid status.
  • Gyms, spas, swimming pools and wellness centers are all open.

WHAT'S Closed since Covid-19 in Rome

While all businesses are allowed to be open again now, many individual businesses have had to close because of the impact of Coronavirus in Rome and Italy.

It's best to check in advance if you’re planning on visiting a particular shop, restaurant or hotel on a future visit to Italy therefore.

Green Pass Access

As of May 1 2022, the Green Pass system for accessing locations and services within Italy has pretty much been removed entirely - the only exception is for visitors to care homes and hospitals.

My Green Pass page sets out all the information for more details!


The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers.


Museums in Rome - news and regulations

Museums and cultural sites are all allowed to open.

Always check the individual procedures for any site you wish to visit to avoid being disappointed, as they have the right to enforce their own rules outside of the government's advice.

Indoors sites such as the below are open:

Outdoor spaces and churches remain open and available to visitors, including:

Vatican - Saint Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums 

The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Vatican GardensSaint Peter’s Dome, and St Peter’s Tomb are open for visits.

For updates and advice about booking admission, check out the Vatican Museums website here.

Both St Peter's Basilica and St Peter’s Square remain open.

If you are planning to visit the Vatican Museums, the requirement to show evidence of vaccination or recovery or negative test result on arrival is NO LONGER in place, according to their website. Entrances are be staggered and timed to avoid too many visitors being present at any one time, so you must be punctual.

Tickets for tours to the Vatican Gardens and Saint Peter’s Tomb are available for future dates, but places are limited, so please do book these well in advance if you are planning to include them on a future visit to Rome.

Churches have always been allowed to stay open, on the provision that social distancing can be maintained and large groups of people do not gather together, so St Peter's Basilica is open. There is no advance booking required for visiting St Peter's Basilica.

As normal, you will have to go through airport-style security to enter the basilica.

Don’t forget to cover your knees and shoulders as per the normal requirements. 

Colosseum/Palatine Hill/Roman Forum

roman forum from palatine hill

The archaeological park that includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill is open, with the same rules for booking and entry as were put in place when it first reopened in 2020.

Colosseum night visits are also back.

Now that the park has been open for some time, they have started opening up some of the SUPER sites that have been closed since the pandemic started, including the new Colosseum underground area.

My video about visiting this new section will give you an idea what it's like to visit the Colosseum right now:

If you would like to plan ahead for a future trip, you can find all the rules and advice, along with an app on the Colosseum's official website here.

Is it safe to be in Rome right now?

Is it safe to travel to Italy during Covid?

We feel safe going around Rome.

We are following the rules and common-sense health and hygiene practices as we always have done.

At the end of 2021 there was a steady increase in case numbers in Italy, but now the active case numbers have declined significantly.

You can follow the case numbers here:

Can you travel to Italy right now?

Italy is officially OPEN for tourism.

However, even now that travel into Italy is allowed, the country where you live may have different rules about what you are allowed to do.

Click here to find out more about traveling to Italy and what the rules and restrictions are.

It's important to remember that even with travel being possible, there are still restrictions in Italy that apply to locals and visitors alike which you will need to follow while you're here.

travel to italy - june 1 2022 update

Travel from anywhere to Italy is quarantine AND restriction free as of June 1!

The Italian government has confirmed that as of the start of June 2022, there are NO requirements to prove your Covid status for anyone.

This means you no longer have to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or proof of a negative test result to enter Italy - fantastic news!

Your ability to come to Rome will of course also depend on airline and flight availability, as well as your personal circumstances - just know we cannot wait to welcome you back!

further advice

  • Please check the Italian Ministry of Health's website (page is in English and Italian) for the detailed rules for people traveling to and from Italy.
  • There is also an interactive online survey from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for people both wishing to go abroad from Italy, as well as entering the country, to give travel advice based on individual circumstances. Find the survey here for more details (available in both English and Italian).

what to do if you get covid during your trip

If you are unlucky enough to test positive for Covid during your trip here, there are a few things you need to be aware of.

After taking a test (most likely at a pharmacy) that comes back positive, you will need to self-isolate for 5 days. You do not need to take a further test at the end of the 5 days.

You can freely move around after the 5 day period, but are required to wear an FFP2 mask for 10 days from when you first experienced symptoms. The only exception is if you have taken a further test which comes back negative.

If you are due to travel during or immediately after the self-isolation period, you will need to speak to your airline or travel provider to understand the rules that may apply to your chosen transport company and/or destination country.

advance bookings

As the future starts looking more positive, it's only natural that you may wish to start making travel plans to come to Rome, or re-book trips that had to be cancelled because of Coronavirus in Rome.

Museums and cultural sites are now largely open, and when possible, I urge you to book these in advance, although be aware that bookings are not always open for a long time in the future.

Also, if you plan to take the train from Rome to Florence, or anywhere else, I suggest booking that in advance as well.

Italy has gotten crowded again and things are filling up!

Coronavirus Rome - useful links and resources


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