Big heat spell here right now. Temps near 100F. No rain for months. I hope Italy doesn’t have any fires. We are pretty much managing the shutters and attempting to keep the heat out in the daytime and letting the cool (if there is any!) into the house at night. We have even been using our AC during parts of the day, and at night. I dream of a cool front coming through, or a nice thunderstorm. No sign of one 👀 Sigh.
We have no trips planned for the rest of this year after our fun trip to Sardinia. It may have been a risk. But we suffered no harm. And good memories. Luther is talking of a trip to Milano in September. We shall see.
Umbria is doing very well. We haven‘t had a death in weeks. Crossing my fingers it stays like this. We have hardly any UK visitors which is very unusual, and not many US visitors either. We seem to have German, Belgian, Holland, and the Scandinavian countries.
We are now in Agosto, August, which is the big vacation month here. Businesses and government agencies shut down. Don’t even think of getting anything done in August in Italy.
Dinners and lunches are cool affairs. No baking, no roasting. If I use heat it will be to make something ahead to use in a salad at night. Or I will quick sear a thin cut of meat. Chicken cutlets are a popular choice. Or a thin steak. Last night we had a Greek salad. Tonight we had left over Greek salad in pasta served cold and chicken cutlets in pesto from my basil. We are out of charcoal but when I get more, grilling will be an option.
Traveling to Italy – Updates
Italy began its Green Pass mandates this week. People will be required to show the pass for access to museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, sports stadiums, theme parks, indoor swimming pools, spas, gyms, and indoor seating areas at bars and restaurants. US residents can show their CDC card and it will be accepted in lieu of the Green Pass. A person can also show a negative test within 48 hours of entering one of these venues, or proof you had Covid and have recovered. As of September 1st, the Pass will be required to travel in planes, ferries, busses and long distance trains.
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Since things have gotten so bad in the US, there is talk of the EU closing travel to US travelers. Again. They say within the next two weeks they will make a decision. Today The Local, our “go to” English language online paper, had an article with the latest. I cut and pasted since there is a pay wall. (By the way, it is not at all expensive to subscribe and it is a wealth of information.)
Here is the article:
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At the moment Italy allows arrivals from the US for any reason, including tourism. But as coronavirus infection rates rise in both countries, readers have asked if and when the rules could change.
Question: We are traveling to Italy soon and are hearing rumors concerning Italy or the EU imposing new restrictions on US travelers. Do you know if and when this is likely to happen?
As the coronavirus infection rate in the United States has now risen well above the threshold for removal from Europe’s travel ‘safe list’, there has been media speculation in recent days about whether a change to the rules is imminent.
The European Commission regularly reviews its ‘safe list’ of countries from which non-essential travel is allowed, and news reports from Reuters and Bloomberg this week have cited EU officials saying rules for those arriving from the United States could be reconsidered under the next review.
After initially saying the ‘safe list’ review could come as soon as next week, the same officials have now reportedly stated that it will happen in two weeks, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
The rate of new coronavirus cases in the US has risen to 270 per 100,000 inhabitants over the previous 14 days, according to data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The EU’s ‘safe list’ limit is 75 new cases.
The seven-day average of Covid-19 cases in the US now stands at around 100,000 per day, up from under 20,000 in June.
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Stay safe and wear your mask. Andrà tutto bene 🌈
I just don’t get it. And I don’t know why Italy and the EU don’t insist on it.
Don’t worry Carol. Masks are mandated inside everywhere. And people must show vaccination proof to do most anything. Including you. Carry your passport and your vaccination card. It is much, much worse in the US.
Nancy, I totally agree with you on reciprocity!
We are supposed to leave for Italy at the end of this month. We are both fully vaccinated,but given the rising number of cases in Italy (unlike last summer), we are a little concerned about breakthrough infections. Are folks wearing masks indoors in Italy? If we test positive on the way out of Italy, we may get stuck in quarantine…
I wish the US would lift it’s ban on EU travelers coming there. It should be reciprocal.
Thanks, as always for all the great information! We also subscribe to the Local – enjoy it very much! The article you mentioned does go on to further state:
“Most recently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the US to lift its travel ban for EU citizens in an interview with German outlet RND last week.
“The epidemiological situation in the US and the EU today is very similar. We need to solve the problem as soon as possible and are in contact with our American friends. This must not drag on for weeks,” von der Leyen said.
Last week, White House officials revealed that the government is working on a plan to require all international visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Because of this, some media reports speculate that any new restrictions recommended by the European Commission in its next review would likely only apply to US travelers who are unvaccinated.
However no official statements have been given regarding any possible new EU restrictions.
And if the US is removed from the European “safe list” in future, this would not necessarily mean Americans would be barred from Italy.”
Let’s hope the situation works itself out so Italy doesn’t have to lock down again and/or Americans aren’t banned again 🙁 We are so hoping our upcoming early September trip (arriving 9/8/21) doesn’t get postponed/canceled. We are both fully vaccinated 🙂
It’s very frustrating. I just don’t get it.
Enjoyed your post, as usual. Unfortunately, here in the US we have plenty of vaccine, but the acceptance of it has become a political statement for almost a third of the nation. It’s the equivalent of starving while a meal is sitting right in front of you. Still, no travel in our future plans.