French arrivals to undergo mandatory covid-19 test in Italy

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A holidaymaker on a motorbike (L) returning from Sardinia by ferry undergoes a compulsory drive-through swab test on August 23, 2020 at the port of Civitavecchia, northwest of Rome, during the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. - Italy has recorded 1,071 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, breaking the symbolic barrier of 1,000 cases per day for the first time since May 12, according to an official report published on August 22, 2020. "61% (of these new cases) are linked to holiday returns," and more specifically 45% (97 cases) concern returns from the island of Sardinia, which had been spared by the first wave of the virus but where the comings and goings of careless tourists and revellers have contributed to the spread of the virus. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)

Italy will make testing for COVID-19 compulsory for people traveling from Paris and some other areas of France, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Monday, following growing concerns about rising cases in Europe.

“European data is worrying. Italy is doing better than other countries but we need to be cautious,” Speranza wrote on Twitter.

A health ministry spokesman said the new testing would start from Tuesday.

Testing will be compulsory for those travelling from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Île-de-France – the region that includes Paris, the ministry said in a statement.

French health authorities reported 10,569 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, down from the previous day’s record increase of 13,498.

Italy, hit by one of Europe’s worst outbreaks of COVID-19 with over 298,000 confirmed cases and 35,700 deaths, managed to contain the contagion after a peak in March and April. On Sunday it reported 1,587 new cases.

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