British Man On Birthday Break To Italy Spends His Trip In Quarantine After Testing-Turnaround

For Billy, what was supposed to be a short birthday weekend away in Rome has turned into "a bad dream"

COVID Companions- Billy Jake, 22 (far right) and other British nationals also being held in Italy. Credit: Billy Jake

It all went wrong for him after new testing measures saw him test positive for COVID-19 at Rome Ciampino Airport on Thursday 8th October.

Last week, and the day before Billy was due to fly out, the Italian health minister Roberto Speranza announced that Britons travelling to the country will need to have a negative COVID test result within 72 hours of arrival. This can be one taken at home in the UK, or done at the airport when passengers get there.

With little to no notice, and unaware he would be tested when he got there, Billy soon tested positive and found himself being separated from his brother, who had a negative result.

He described the moment he found out he had COVID-19:

"I had no idea [about the testing] at all... people in full PPE gear called my name and told me I had tested positive...I couldn't believe it was happening, it felt like a bad dream."

Touchdown in Rome- the passengers onboard Billy's early Thursday morning flight were met by COVID testing Credit: Billy Jake

Billy says that he is being kept in Hotel Urban Garden, around 40 minutes away from the airport

It seems the passengers flying out the day after the new measures were announced had been informed too late, and those with little notice and booked holidays were willing to risk it, as the Hotel in which Billy is staying in is reportedly full with COVID-positive individuals fresh from the airport.

"There are 25 rooms in this hotel and all of them are occupied by people who have tested positive for COVID-19...I have managed to speak to a few other English-speaking people here"

When asked how being held alone has had an affect on his mental health, Billy had this to say:

"It's very difficult having no real idea of when I will be able to go home"

When his birthday came, he had to spend it alone and in quarantine, he says it is hard not knowing when he will see his friends and family again.

Home for the holiday: Billy has to remain in his bedroom for the majority of the day

Credit: Billy Jake

Current guidelines in Italy state that people must test negative at least once before being able to return to their home country. However recently, there have been cases of Brits being stuck there for over a month.

Billy says that he is under constant watch by the armed police who stay posted at the gates of the hotel to make sure nobody tries to enter or leave the premises.

The UK government advice states not to use the NHS testing service for a test to meet travel requirements to enter Italy, and that hopeful holiday-makers should arrange to take a private test.

Whilst the change in airport testing rules last week caused chaos for people who had booked their holidays, what about the people like Billy that were already on their way there? And are now stuck there as a result.

Italy’s health ministry has warned that anyone entering the country without a test could be charged with a crime.

Sylvia Muscolino, consulate at the British Embassy Rome, had some reassuring words:

"We know local health authorities are under great pressure due to the increasing numbers of persons to test and to keep in isolation. We have no authority to interfere with the proceedings put in place by local authorities but we can certainly keep in contact with them to make sure our UK nationals are not left behind."

When asked what advice Billy has for other Brits wanting to travel abroad, he had this to say:

"Where I think I went wrong was I should have done more research before I flew here... research the policies and regulations of the country you are flying to"

If you’re travelling in Italy, see how to Return to the UK during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

If you are not allowed to leave as a result of the new COVID-19 airport testing measures, see how to stay safely in Italy during coronavirus

For the latest on Italy travel advice visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy