News

As we look forward to the start of 2022, we are sharing some updates on Italy's covid protocols: thankfully Italy's current restrictions around the holidays, just updated on Dec 23rd, only relate to mask-wearing and vaccination confirmations within Italy and currently only apply through January 31st.  There are no new restrictions on international travel (a reminder: current travelers need to fill out a digital passenger registration form as part of your online check-in procedures and travelers need to have a negative covid test prior to your flight, and also may be asked to have a random rapid covid test at the airport.)
As of writing (Dec 24 2021) Italy currently has lower overall case numbers than the US (case numbers are 49 in 100,000 in Italy vs 57 in 100,000 in the US) as you can see on the New York Times covid portal which includes up-to-date maps of the world, the US, and Italy:

• World Map: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/world/covid-cases.html
• US Map: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html
• Italy Map: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/world/italy-covid-cases.html

The Italian government has just announced new covid-prevention rules to be in place now through Jan 31, the main focus being on requiring masks to be worn outdoors and more substantial FFP2 masks (the equivalent to American N95 masks) to be worn indoors.  The aim for these new rules is to minimize a holiday spike in cases, so that the outlook for the spring can be for these restrictions to be lifted.  

Certainly the Siena Art Institute will continue to keep up-to-date with developments in the news and we will continue to follow all guidance from the Italian Ministry of Health.  The approach to the Italian government is currently focusing on activities within Italy, enforcing mask requirements, limiting crowds for New Years Eve, closing dance clubs through Jan 31, and having social spaces restricted to vaccinated people (there are two levels of passes to enter spaces, some requiring either a recent negative covid test or a proof of vaccination, the so-called "Green Pass" and others accepting only proof of vaccination, the so-called "Super Green Pass".)  This allows further restrictions to be enacted for unvaccinated people with the hope to allow more freedom and open activities for vaccinated people.  Again, the numbers in Italy are currently better than the numbers in the US amidst the current rise in Omicron cases, the Italian government is just choosing to have a stronger response to prevent a further rise compared to the US. 

With these new extra covid prevention rules about mask wearing etc set to last now through Jan 31 in Italy, we remain optimistic that the spring ahead will be brighter!
Further information on covid prevention protocols can be seen by clicking here. 
Please don't hestitate to contact us should you have any questions. info@sienaart.org

Looking forward to being in touch and wishing you the very best for the New Year ahead!