Weddings in Italy 2021 - Covid-19 updates - May 2021
What is the latest news for couples planning to get married in Italy 2021?
After a very long and anxious wait, we finally received the news on Monday (17th June 2021) from the Italian government, that couples planning to get married in Italy this year can celebrate their wedding (ceremony and reception) from June 15th, with certain coronavirus precautionary measures in place.
The news has provided welcome to relief to the wedding industry as a whole and of course the many anxious couples desperately hoping to make their dream wedding day in Italy a reality.
So let’s highlight what we have understood so far with regard to the precautionary measures and details in place so far regarding weddings in Italy:
The latest announcement has confirmed that weddings in Italy can resume from June 15th, both indoors and outdoors.
All guests (including the bride and groom) will need a ‘green pass’ in order to attend. The ‘green pass’ is currently in the form of a paper certificate proving that the holder has been vaccinated, has had Covid-19 and recovered, or has shown a negative test result within the previous 48 hours.
The ‘green pass’ is something that is being used nationwide and also throughout Europe in order to restart International travel and for family and friends travelling to Italy for a wedding, guests should also be able to get these certificates in their country of origin which should be accepted by the Italian government.
Vaccination and recovery certifications will be valid for six months, the certificate relating to the negative test will be valid for 48 hours. Certifications issued in European Union member states are recognised as equivalent, as are those issued in other countries who have been vaccinated with a European Union recognised vaccination.
Guests numbers have yet to be confirmed and is being reviewed by the government’s Technical Scientific Committee. It may be that different areas of the country are limited to different numbers of guests/attendees in line with local health data. Although not yet confirmed, the amount of guests allowed could also change according to whether festivities take place indoors or outdoors.
Venues must follow strict guidelines which include ensuring tables are adequately distanced (two meter distance), no self service options, and keeping a list of attendees for 14 days to ensure tracing is possible should anyone test positive at a later stage for Covid-19.
Buffets are possible but must be served by the venue and not by the guests themselves.
Dancing is also permitted outside but with a 1.2 square metre zone required for each person. Dancing indoors is said to be allowed in white zones, but only with 2 square metres allocated per person.
Wearing masks remains a current requirement even outside, although they can be removed when seated. We have been informed that the government is looking at relaxing rules on masks, specifically for outside/open spaces, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Please note that the above information provided does not take into account travel requirements and restrictions for destination weddings in Italy which depend on the country you are travelling from.
updates re travel
The Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, has signed an ordinance allowing entry from the countries of the European Union and the Shengen Area, as well as from Great Britain and Israel, with a negative swab test, without compulsory quarantine. Travellers are still required to produce on arrival a negative molecular or antigen test, taken in the 48 hours prior to arrival in Italy.
For more information on the current restrictions and guidelines in Italy please see the Health Ministry’s website (in English)
For travel advice from the UK to Italy click here
For travel advice from the USA to Italy click here