News Coronavirus in Italy

Covid: Italy set to drop mask obligation on public transport

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

23 Sep, 2022

Mask obligation ends on 30 September.

Italy's obligation to wear masks on board public transport expires on Friday 30 September and - barring a last-minute move - is not expected to be extended.

It is considered unlikely that the outgoing government of Mario Draghi will extend the mask-wearing obligation during its final days in office, leaving covid-related decisions to the new administration after the general election on Sunday.

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Italy's health undersecretary Andrea Costa said recently that he was in favour of dropping masks on public transport.

Over the course of a week in early September police in Italy handed out a total of €81,000 in fines to commuters caught without masks on public transport, as part of a nationwide blitz.

Italy fines commuters €81,000 for not wearing masks on public transport

Until 30 September, commuters in Italy are required to wear FFP2 masks on buses, trains, subways, trams and ferries (but not planes).

Despite the regulations in place, it is increasingly common in Rome to see commuters - both Italian residents and tourists - without masks on the metro and buses.
For official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy see health ministry website.