Coronavirus in Bergamo, Italy

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Sep 30, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. He replied...

After we were the first province in the first region of the first European country to be badly hit by Covid all is now under control. Right now there is some increase in infections and deaths since the lockdown was finished and the schools, and univiersities were reopened. However we have had no surge in new infections or deaths unlike Spain, France, UK, Israel

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? He replied...

I am 60 years old so do not desire to go to night clubs or discos etc. Essentially life here is post Covid tranquil bars and restaurants are open, there are no national travel restrictions and offices have reopenned. We are all extremely social distance aware and people are protecting and distancing in particular for people with health problems or are old like me

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. He replied...

Very efficient and extremely well far better than the disasterous management in the United Kingdom or Ireland

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? He replied...

There are no shortages that I am aware ofYes

Travel Restrictions and Related COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: Are non-citizens allowed to travel to your country? Describe travel restrictions, COVID-19 testing requirements and any details about traveling into your country. He replied...

Yes if the visitor is coming from a high risk country like USA they may not be allowed to enter or have to go into quarantine for between 7-14 days. You need to check the situation from your departure country.

Health Insurance Requirements

We Asked: Is health insurance required when traveling into the country? Is it required when applying for residency? Is this a new requirement since COVID-19? Describe the health insurance requirement. He replied...

No, if you travel resident inside EU or UK you are covered by state health cross chargng rules. Outside this area you are advised to have health insurance or you will have to pay for medial costs from your own pocket

COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: How easy or difficult is it to get a COVID-19 test locally? Where can you get tested? Do you need to have symptoms or a prescription from a doctor? Describe the process. He replied...

COVID-19 testing procedures in Italy vary by region, and individuals should consult regional health authorities for further guidance. Generally, the first step is a blood test (serological test) to identify the presence of antibodies that are found in the blood following contact with the virus. To carry out this test, it is necessary to go to an authorized public or private laboratory with a prescription from a physician. This test costs approximately 15 Euro and is paid for by the individual being tested. In the event of a positive response to the blood test, a nasal swab test (oropharyngeal test) should be promptly carried out to determine if the infection is active or if there is risk of transmitted it to others. The nasal swab test is coordinated by the Italian National Health System (SSN) at no charge to the person tested. The following links provide additional information regarding COVID-19 Monitoring & General Information and COVID-19 Regional Telephone Information Hotlines from the Italian Ministry of Health.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? He replied...

Yes. They are handling it very well. For example I needed to follow a Chemotherapy course of treatment for Lyphomia from february to July 2020 there were no delays or cancellations in my treatment.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. He replied...

No as legal resident from the UK in Italy there is no need. If you want to go to private clinics and hospitals they are generally very professional and have advanced equipment

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? He replied...

Public because they have the trained staff excelent procedures and no shortage of the necessary equipment

Residency & Visa

We Asked: Are new residency applications being processed? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and other visa renewals? He replied...

Yes processing carries on as normal, The main change is that processes are normally advised to be followed on line and the websites and apps work well

Future Outlook

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. He replied...

I am very happy to be in Italy and as a UK citizen i am much happier to be here. My main change of plans is that I will consider very carefully if I will ever travel internationally again

Other Thoughts

We Asked: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share? He replied...

Italy for now have dodged the wave 2 Covid infection storm so far. In Europe it is a good country to be in, but we do not want loads of international visitors right now thanks.