One of the problems with international travel in the past few months is that it has been nearly impossible to go anywhere without quarantining for 14 days upon arrival, which isn’t feasible for most people. Now, a small step is being taken to make it more possible. Delta is launching a new transatlantic program that will eliminate quarantines on specific flights between the United States and Italy.
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Delta Is Launching Quarantine-Free Flights Between the US and Italy
Designated flights will test essential passengers and crew for COVID-19. So if you’re traveling to Italy for work, health, or education, or are an EU/Italian citizen, you’ll now be able to fly to Italy from the US without quarantining.
The trial program begins on December 19 on flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Rome–Fiumicino International Airport. To fly, travelers must have a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, as well as take a rapid test at the airport in Atlanta before boarding, and a second rapid test in Rome upon arrival. Those flying from Italy into the US must take a rapid test at the airport in Rome. Upon entering the US, passengers will be asked to provide contact tracing information.
Henty Ting, chief value officer at Mayo Clinic, which helped advise on this new program, said, “Based on the modeling we have conducted, when testing protocols are combined with multiple layers of protection, including mask requirements, proper social distancing and environmental cleaning, we can predict that the risk of COVID-19 infection — on a flight that is 60% full — should be nearly one in a million.” 