Buon Nuovo Anno! Happy New Year from Florence!

So begins 2022 and not exactly as we had all hoped…but here we go and here I am, continuing to bring you timely updates, thoughts, and tipZ, as well as random thoughts and observations (and, of course, a few opinions!) on what’s happening here…direct from your Boots on the Ground in the Boot to YOU!

Now more than ever, trying to bring you “real time” updates!

Yeah, I know, we all have COVID and mask fatigue but we have to stay vigilant…

That said…here in Italy…
By the time you read this, the landscape will have already changed which is why it is so vitally important to stay up-to-date! Restrictions are reviewed weekly, (yes, WEEKLY!) , announced on Fridays and official on Monday.

I’m sure that it isn’t news to anyone that the Omicron variant and its characteristic of being extremely contagious (albeit not as serious for those that are vaccinated) has resulted in a swift escalation of cases everywhere…including here. And then there’s that “plot twist” with Omicron – even the vaccinated are vulnerable and testing positive.

Here in Italy (and I can only speak to what I’m experiencing here in Florence and what I get from friends in other regions), the pre-holiday optimism has subdued and shifted into a lingering “deja vu” but also a “wait and see”… follow the rules, and do what we have to do to get through this to spring!

However, the Italian government and powers-that-be are not just sitting around waiting for it to “run its course”! They have been swift to respond – mandating preemptive and preventive measures before the holidays and adapting weekly. Restrictions are being tightened and they include a lot – and I do mean a LOT – of pressure to get vaccinated and we’re talking everyone! It’s no longer enough to just get a negative test (which entitled you to a “Green Pass” for a limited time period).

The “Super Green Pass” – which means that it means that you have been VACCINATED 2X – is now required in order to use public transportation, go into restaurants, etc. (So, for US citizens it means you must have a CDC card showing you’ve been vaccinated, which you should have anyway in order to travel here!)

Read the latest update (January 14th) from The Local Italy:
“From visiting restaurants to using public transport, almost all aspects of life in Italy now require proof of vaccination against Covid-19 under the ‘super green pass’ system. But how do the rules apply to visitors who were vaccinated in another country? We’ve tried to answer readers’ most common questions here.”

Also recently reported on January 14th, cases have begun to fall in recent days. However, “experts still warn that the Omicron has not peaked yet”. Almost all regions are in a “yellow zone” status which requires everyone to wear a mask indoors AND outdoors! In fact, almost everyone here has been doing that for months. (And, here in Florence, almost everyone is wearing the FFP2 mask, aka N95, at all times.)

So, all that said, is it safe in Italy!? YES! I just cannot emphasize enough how safe you are here! Why? Precisely because the restrictions and rules are intended to keep YOU and me safe! AND, to keep everyone healthy! To enjoy some sense of normalcy so that we can go about our daily lives AND so that visitors will feel confident enough to travel!

Those who have visited over the last months are so impressed with the protocols! Yes, you need to inform yourself on what is required and, yes, you will have hoops to jump through…but (and I repeat!) it’s all designed to keep you and everyone else safe.

And a few friendly reminders:
• Yes, masks really are REQUIRED and MANDATORY where indicated.
• Yes, there are COVID rules and restrictions that are in place. Please note and follow them.
• Yes, rules and protocols change so it’s up to you to be proactive and get OFFICIAL updates from OFFICIAL sources. (However, I do have an observation/opinion about the CDC.)

About CDC Levels: This is definitely IMHO (in my humble opinion) but checking their lists of countries on their four “Levels”, I have to say I am TOTALLY baffled and I think it’s misleading.
How certain destinations are “low risk” (e.g., China, Bangladesh, and Uganda) while others are “high risk” and vaccines are “recommended” (the list is LONG including Portugal, Switzerland and, yes, Italy), although it is clearly stated in the profile of each country that, in fact, they are often REQUIRED (as is the case here in Italy)!
They are not taking into consideration what the actual restrictions/rules are in each country. A big oversight…again, IMHO.

On to other topics…well, at the moment there isn’t another topic. I know many of you are in “wait and see” mode but I also know that many of you are itching to travel and willing to jump through those hoops!
Ultimately, we all have to do our due diligence, consider the circumstances and decide for ourselves.

Sure, some things have changed but Italy is still Italy!
Just look at her history!! This country and its people are resilient and if it’s your dream to come or return, I can say that it is worth it! And I can say that I support whatever your decision is but I also encourage you to put travel on your 2022 calendar.

As I shared in my recent blog post, we all have to be vigilant and flexible. COVID may deter our travel plans but it cannot deter our dreams! So dream it, plan it…Italy is waiting for you!

Ti aspettiamo! We are waiting for you!

I hope you enjoy, benefit, share and, of course, please comment!
And, if there’s a specific topic you would like me to write about, please let me know!

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