Security Brief for Italy prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 8:09:16 PM UTC Security Assessment Rating Security Rating for Italy: 2 - Low Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 3 Overall Rating: Security Services 2 2 Civil Unrest 3 Low Terrorism 2 Kidnapping 2 Geopolitical 2 Security Overview : Overview of Italy The biggest threat to foreign travelers is from petty and opportunistic theft, particularly in major cities such as Naples and Rome. Scams are commonplace, and foreigners or tourists are often specifically targeted. There is growing concern over the threat from the Islamic State (IS), and counterterrorism efforts have resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals and the foiling of various plots. Unrest occurs periodically over various socioeconomic and political issues. Protests are typically of a low level and peaceful but have the potential to escalate into violence. Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism. Related Advice: Recognizing when you are under surveillance, and tips to avoid surveillance. Related Advice: Recognizing suspicious objects and the threat of hidden explosives while traveling Related Advice: Protecting yourself from crime when using taxis abroad. Related Advice: Increasing your chances of survival in a kidnapping/hostage situation Related Advice: Tips and guidelines for surviving an airline hijacking Related Advice: Increasing your personal security while traveling. Security Alerts & Advisories Informational Alerts Civil Unrest: Protests denouncing COVID-19-related restrictions likely to continue in cities across Europe through July. Localized disruptions likely. Event: COVID-19 Protests Location(s): Urban centers (map) Time Frame: Through at least July Impact: Possible increased security, localized disruptions Summary Sporadic protests will likely continue in cities across Europe through at least the end of July as residents denounce restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19, as well as their economic consequences, particularly for the hospitality industry. Activists could demonstrate outside government offices or at prominent locations in city centers; vehicular go-slow protests are possible. Public transport workers may hold strikes or other forms of labor actions. The COVID-19 measures currently in place in most European cities restrict public gatherings to some extent. Local police will likely monitor protests and may attempt to disperse larger gatherings. Low-level skirmishes and, in some cases, wider confrontations, are possible. Localized traffic and transport disruptions are likely. In addition, though a large proportion of demonstrations involve hospitality workers, the adoption of the COVID- 19 issue as a rallying point by both far-left and far-right-wing groups means that some protests could also prompt counterdemonstrations, posing a potential for clashes between rival activists. Advice Avoid all protests as a standard security precaution. Monitor local media for updates on such gatherings, as organizers may not announce details in advance. If violence breaks out, leave the area immediately. Follow the instructions of security personnel. Allow additional time for travel near known or possible demonstration venues. Alert begins: 03/31/2021 Other Alerts & Advisories Critical Alerts Entry/Exit: European Council introduces EU Digital COVID Certificate in numerous EU countries as of July 2; travel restrictions remain. Incident: Travel restrictions Location(s): EU member states (except Ireland) and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Transport and business disruptions Summary Authorities in 21 EU member states have implemented the European Council's "EU Digital COVID Certificate" as of July 2. The certificate is a digital or physical QR code that acts as proof of whether a traveler has been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from COVID-19, or recently tested negative for COVID-19. Member states should in principle allow individuals possessing the certificate to enter the country without restriction. The certificate is currently being issued by Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. All remaining EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway, are set to recognize and begin issuing the certificate by Aug. 12. The European Council (EC) previously added several more countries, including the US, to the list of countries with which it recommends member states relax entry restrictions due to positive data regarding the COVID-19 situation in those countries. As of July 2, the following countries are on the list: Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the US, and China (provided it implements a reciprocal travel arrangement). The EC advises EU member states to restrict nonessential travel from all other countries outside the bloc as part of measures to combat the spread of COVID- 19. Countries participating in the measure include all EU Schengen Area member states; non-Schengen EU members Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania; and the four non-EU Schengen-associated states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The EC's recommendation is advisory only; individual member states retain the authority to unilaterally deny travel from countries on the approved list or to permit travel with countries not on the approved list. Additionally, the EC previously issued advice for member states to implement additional COVID-19 measures, including mandatory testing before departure, stricter measures to address virus variants of concern, and a common European passenger locator form. Persons exempted from the recommendations include family members of EU nationals, diplomats, foreigners with legal residency permits, cross-border and healthcare workers, and truck drivers transporting freight. Following the end of the Brexit transition period, citizens of the UK are no longer being treated as EU citizens and are therefore subject to measures restricting travel to the EU from outside the bloc as per EC recommendations. The EC also issued advice May 20 recommending that member states begin lifting restrictions for vaccinated travelers from countries outside the bloc; most member states have not currently implemented this measure. Advice Prospective travelers from countries on the approved list should check for possible additional restrictions imposed by the destination country prior to booking travel. Persons from countries not on the approved list should postpone travel to the countries participating in the closure. Follow all official immigration and health screening instructions. Resources European Union Schengen Area countries Alert begins: 07/02/2021 Entry/Exit: Italy maintaining domestic COVID-19 social distancing mandates, international entry restrictions as of July 12. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Travel and business disruptions Summary Italy is maintaining light-touch domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of July 12 as part of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. All regions of the country remain designated as "white," the lowest risk category of the official four-tiered, color-coded COVID-19 tracking system. In white-level regions, most nonessential businesses may operate. Social distancing must be observed. Facemasks must be worn in indoor public spaces, including stores and shopping centers. They may be removed once seated in a catering establishment. Authorities are also maintaining international entry restrictions for certain travelers. Travel is permitted from EEA- associated states, the UK, Israel, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the US. Travelers from Australia, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand must possess a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and submit to a further test at the end of the self-isolation period. Travelers from the US, Canada, and Japan will be exempt from these measures if they possess a Green Pass, a certificate that proves that they have either completed the vaccination course, have tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous 48 hours, or have overcome the disease in the previous six months. For additional details regarding the Green Pass, click here. Officials have imposed a mandatory five-day self-isolation period for all arrivals who have visited the UK during the previous 14 days due to concerns over virus variant strains present in the country. Such persons must also test negative within 48 hours prior to arrival and at the end of the isolation period. The measure is scheduled to remain in place until July 30. Travel from other locations is currently prohibited for non-Schengen citizens or family members unless conducted for study, proven work needs, or urgent health or family reasons. Permitted arrivals must possess a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours before arrival, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and submit to a further test at the end of the self-isolation period; some exceptions apply. All permitted arrivals, except those from San Marino and Vatican City, must fill out a digital passenger locator form before arrival. Additionally,