March 19, 2020

Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Rome, Italy, March 18, 2020


Location: Italy

Event: U.S. Mission Italy has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

The CDC has issued a Level 3 Warning for COVID-19 in Europe advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to Europe. See CDC information regarding high-risk traveler categories.

U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available. Transportation including airlines, trains, and buses continue to operate, but transport links within Italy and to international destinations are increasingly limited. Travelers should be prepared for the possibility of additional travel restrictions to be implemented with little or no advance notice.

Hospitals in Italy are under severe strain. In the city of Milan and Lombardy region, health care authorities are unable to guarantee adequate care for COVID-19 or other emergency cases.

Actions to Take:

  • Call Italy’s 112 emergency number or 1500 if you believe you have symptoms and are currently in Italy. English speaking operators are available.
  • Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on the disease.
  • For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
  • Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information regarding foreign countries’ quarantine requirements and other global impacts.
  • Have a plan to depart from Italy that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
  • Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Italy.
  • Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the U.S.
  • Review the Italian National Institute of Health’s website (available only in Italian).
  • Visit the Department of State’s webpage for U.S. travelers in Europe: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/schengen.html

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