Italy Prepares COVID-19 Free Train Services For Tourist Destination Destinations

Ilustrasi armada kereta Italian State Railways. (WIkimedia Commons / Andrzej Otrębski)

JAKARTA - As the COVID-19 vaccination program continues to intensify, a number of countries are slowly starting to loosen restrictions, reopening economic activities, with strict health requirements and protocols.

For example, in Italy. The country of Pizza has opened COVID-19-free flights, with flight routes from Rome to Atlanta and New York. All passengers are tested for COVID-19 before flying and while not at their destination.

Now, the Italian Government-owned rail operator, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, announced plans to open COVID-19-free rail travel, including to major tourist destinations in Italy, this summer.

CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane said, Gianfranco Battisti, CEO of state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, said passengers and staff of this train will be tested for COVID-19 before boarding. Passengers must arrive at the station one hour before departure.

"We will launch a virus-free train in early April. We have chosen the Rome to Milan route for the initial trial phase. Then we will apply this to a summer tourist destination," Battisti told CNN.

"This will be a unique opportunity allowing people to visit destinations like Venice and Florence," he continued.

During testing, the Italian Red Cross and Civil Protection will be involved. There is no further information regarding this, but it is hoped that Rome - Milan travel tickets can go on sale in the near future.

Currently, Italian trains operate at 50 percent capacity. Passengers must wear a mask and, on high-speed trains, which require bookings, must be seated in an allocated seat.

"It will take seven to 15 months for countries to return to normal, if they can speed up vaccination efforts," said Italian Health Ministry Prevention Director Giovanni Rezza.