Italy imposes quarantine on UK tourists in blow to economy

Bloomberg

Italy introduced a five-day quarantine and mandatory testing for travellers from the UK, a restriction that will weaken an economic rebound reliant on summer tourism.
The UK is one of the biggest sources of travellers to Italy during normal times, though its role has been diminished as a rise in coronavirus cases slowed its travel reopening.
Britons will now have an easier time going to other European holiday destinations such as Greece and Spain, which present fewer restrictions.
Italy is responding to new Covid-19 variants that have engulfed the UK despite its fast rollout of vaccines. The deterioration was made more apparent after hosting the Group of Seven summit along the coast of Cornwall.
The rise in new infections also threatens Britain’s reopening to the rest of the world. There is a 10-day quarantine requirement for arrivals from the European Union, including Italy.
UK virus data remain consistent with analysis suggesting that two doses will keep about nine in 10 people who catch the disease out of hospitals. But it is a reminder that cases will still emerge even when vaccination reaches all adults.
The data were worrying enough to justify Italy’s decision that Britons aren’t welcome even after receiving two shots.
In 2019, more than 6 million Britons visited Italy, where tourism accounts for 13% of economic output.
Italy’s latest rules resemble most closely those in Germany, which is less tourism-dependent. Travel to Germany from the UK is subject to pre-departure digital registration and 14-day quarantine (with no exemptions and with no option to test out early even for fully vaccinated people).
The move by Italy marks another challenge for the UK airline industry, which has already had to adjust to sudden changes in Britain’s border policy.