10/09/23
Currently there are no travel restrictions between the US and Italy. On April 30th 2023 the Italian government has suspended all special measures to contain the covid pandemic.
02/16/22
Similarly to what happened in other countries, Italy has seen a sharp surge of cases during the winter months, followed by an equally fast decline. The number of new cases has been decreasing consistently since the end of January. This week, in particular, has seen a 30% decrease in new cases compared to last week. Currently, over 91% of the Italian population over 12 years old is vaccinated. Some restrictions are being lifted, however, a proof of vaccination is required to enter most public places like: public transports, public offices and banks, museums and archeological sites, movie theaters and concert halls, gyms, restaurants and bars. For this reason, and in order to protect everybody’s health, RILA has made vaccination mandatory for students, teachers, and staff. No exceptions will be allowed.
01/10/22
As it is happening worldwide, in the past several weeks Italy has been seeing a surge in covid cases due to the omicron variant. The Italian government has recently made vaccination mandatory for everyone 50 years old or older, while the third dose vaccination campaign is still underway. Usual restrictions, like mandatory masks and social distancing, are in place. Most importantly, hospitalizations and deaths are still low compared to previous waves of the pandemic. Italy follows a color code system that goes from white to yellow, orange and red, based on the number of cases and the number of hospitalizations in each region. Currently, about half of Italian regions, including Lazio (where Rome is located), have a yellow code, while the remaining regions still have a white code. It is possible that some parts of the country will switch to orange in the next few weeks. Both yellow and orange codes impose more restrictions on unvaccinated people only. Currently, all businesses, shops, schools, museums, etc. are operating regularly. At this time, a switch to the red zone, which would restrict everyone’s movements, is considered unlikely. As always, we are following the situation closely and we will keep you updated in case of any meaningful change of scenario. We are confident that, as in previous years, the situation will improve in the spring and be back to “normal” by the summer, therefore we are planning to run our summer program regularly. A reminder that covid vaccination is mandatory for everyone at RILA, including students, teachers and staff. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
11/30/21
An update on the covid situation in Italy. While cases have gone up, and we currently have 125 cases over 100K people nationwide, we are far away from the numbers we had at this time last year. More importantly, the rate of hospitalizations and deaths is a fraction of what it used to be. Life in Rome is relatively normal, with all businesses, museums, shops, bars and restaurants open regularly and ongoing restrictions getting stricter for people who are not vaccinated. The vaccination campaign is going very well, with 87% of the population over 12 years old who received one dose of the vaccine, 85% who got two doses, and 41% who received the third dose booster, which keeps being administered these days. As the situation evolves, we encourage you to keep yourself informed by focusing on the numbers. Below is a link to a website that offers an objective report of the situation in Italy for English readers. We will keep posting updates following any meaningful change of scenario. Feel free to contact us at info@rilarts.org if you have any questions or concerns.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/italy/
10/15/21
After a successful 2021 summer program, we are happy to announce the opening of recruitment for RILA’s 2022 summer programs “Beauty and the Sacred” and “Empire and the Soul”. The situation with regard to the pandemic in Italy, and in Rome in particular, is very reassuring and allows us to start planning for next summer. The latest data indicates that over 80% of the Italian population aged 12+ years old is fully vaccinated, and about 85% in Rome. The number of cases has been slowly but steadily declining, and it is now below 30 cases/100k people. During a recent visit to Italy, Anthony Fauci has said that Italy has become a model for all the world. Travel from the US to Italy has always been permitted since last year for reasons of study or work, and it is now allowed for tourism as well. Please check this page regularly for any updates and feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
5/28/21
Please visit the Italian Ministry of Health’s webpage for important instructions about travelling from the US to Italy. The US is now in the group of country tagged “List D” which allows residents from these countries to enter Italy without a specific reason. Covid-tested flights are still required to avoid a 10 day quarantine. Travelers must comply with all requirements:
- covid test before and after flight
- self-declaration printed and signed form
- PLF form to be completed online
04/23/21
On Monday, the State Department announced that it would begin to update its travel advisories to more closely align with those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a change that will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide, including Italy. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/19/politics/state-department-travel-advisories/index.html Rest assured that this will not affect RILA’s summer program. Actually, nothing has changed on the Italian side: the situation is still improving slowly but consistently since the end of March, and although tourism is not permitted for non-EU citizens, it is possible for US citizens to enter in Italy for reasons of study or work.
04/21/21
Please be aware that travelers arriving to Italy from outside the EU on regular (non covid-tested) flights will have to quarantine for 10 days. A negative covid test result on the tenth day will be required to be released from the quarantine. Travelers arriving on covid-tested flights will not need to quarantine. For official updates on regulations for entering Italy coming from the US (currently a country in list E), please visit the Italian Health Ministry website: http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioContenutiNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=english&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto&tab=5
04/09/21
Covid-tested flights are the only way to exempt passengers from the quarantine requirement upon entry into Italy. All passengers travelling on Alitalia’s Covid-Tested flights to/from New York and Delta’s Covid-Tested flights to/from Atlanta and from/to New York, will be required to present a certificate proving they are negative for Covid 19, carried out within 48 hours prior to the flight. For those coming from the United States, a new antigen test will be required upon arrival at Fiumicino. For more info, please visit see the Rome’s airport website at https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/covid-tested-flights-procedures
04/08/21
RILA’s 2021 SUMMER PROGRAM HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. Classes will run regularly as scheduled, from June 7th to July 16th. Students will soon receive directions by email for completing registration. We are looking forward to welcoming our students in Rome this summer!
04/01/21
In light of the recent updates in the vaccination programs across the US, where it will be possible for individuals 16 years old and older to book a covid vaccine some time between now and the end of April, RILA is introducing anti-covid vaccination as a mandatory requirement to take part in our summer program. This measure is meant to improve our student body, faculty and staff’s safety, and it is necessary to allow the program to run without interruptions this summer. Students are required to send proof of vaccinations at least two weeks before the beginning of the program.
03/25/21
Although it won’t be mandatory, we recommend that all students get vaccinated, if possible. Being vaccinated will likely make international traveling easier. It will also make your time in Rome safer for you, your teachers and your fellow students. In the article, below you can find a timeline for the covid vaccination eligibility for young people state by state.
U.S.News: Covid vaccine eligibility state by state
03/17/21
NPR news: EU Officials Propose Digital Travel Certificates — Vaccination Not Required
03/16/21
You might have heard that Italy is currently experiencing a third wave of covid cases. It is expected to reach its peak in the next 1-2 weeks, so please do not be alarmed if you notice a rise in the number of cases. The lockdown imposed until April 6th, combined with the undergoing vaccination campaign, will bring cases down, as it has happened in the past. We are confident that by the beginning of May we will be able to confirm that the summer program will run regularly.
02/15/21
In order to allow you more flexibility for our students, this year RILA will be doing rolling admissions throughout March, and just a $50 application fee will be due with application. Students will be informed whether they are accepted into the program within one week from the day when they complete their application. Scholarship application will be evaluated during the first week of April. Please note that unfortunately this year the Ahmanson scholarships will not be available. Registration and payment will be due only at the time the course is confirmed, about one month before the beginning of classes.
