COVID-19 UPDATES and FAQ

24th March 2020

Inte

rnat

ion

al S

tud

ents

Off

ice –

ww

w.s

om

.po

lim

i.it –

iso

@m

ip.p

oli

mi.i

t

COVID-19 updates and FAQ – 24TH March 2020

Travelling – KEY FACTS

Travel to and from Italy is currently restricted to proven circumstances of work,

health or impellent need, and it is generally strongly advised against

EU’s external borders are currently closed for non-essential travel until mid-April

The authorities will ask you to justify your reasons for travel

Regulations on travelling are subject to change. Keep informed by referring to the

relative authority

Please inform us when you re-enter or leave Italy

1. Can I re-enter Italy?

If you do not have an Italian passport nor Italian residency and you are currently out of Italy, it is hard to justify your need to re-enter. You will need to contact the relative authority (Embassy or Consulate) to know if you can enter Italy from the country where you are now.

If you do re-enter Italy, you will be required by law to spend 14 days in self-isolation.

2. Can I leave Italy?

Currently you can travel from Italy in order to return to your home country, but it is not recommended.

Please be aware that airline companies are cancelling their flights and many countries are forbidding travel from Italy. Therefore, you will have to contact the concerned airline as well as the relative authority in your home country, to know if you are allowed to return.

3. How long can I legally stay in Europe?

As a rule, with a permit of stay for study you can stay in any other Schengen countries as tourist for 90 days in 6 months. If you are currently in a European country and may stay for longer than such period, you should get in contact with the local authority to inquire about the requirements for your legal stay.

Moving within Europe is also not recommended and banned by most EU countries, unless you are returning to your home.

4. I have not collected my permit of stay card yet. What does that entail?

If your permit card is ready, it will stay at the Immigration Office for several weeks, or in fact, until you collect it.

5. My permit of stay application is on hold. What do I do?

No action from you is required for now. All permit application appointments have been postponed. You can log in the Immigration Portal using your assicurata’s user ID and password, to keep track of your new appointment date.

When the emergency ends, the ISO will guide you for a new group appointment at the Office or with different guidelines for your specific case.

Inte

rnat

ion

al S

tud

ents

Off

ice –

ww

w.s

om

.po

lim

i.it –

iso

@m

ip.p

oli

mi.i

t

6. Are residency procedures also on hold?

They are not. You can apply online for residency on the Council of Milan website just as before, and contact the ISO for support. The finalization of your application may be postponed, but we recommend you start the process nonetheless.

7. I enrolled into the National Healthcare System (NHS) before the lockdown, but

I have not received my tessera sanitaria (health card). Can I access the system

without it?

Yes you can. Upon enrolment at the Ufficio Scelta e Revoca, you should have received a paper with the details of your enrolment. That paper is a valid temporary document to access the system’s services.

Containment Measures and Health

1. What are the measures of containment currently implemented in Italy?

Since March 11th, the government has declared a national lockdown, in order to contain the emergency. On March 22th, new restrictions on mobility have been implemented. Until further updates, the measures in Lombardy will remain valid until April 15th.

According to the latest decree, all citizens are recommended to stay home, and :

o go outside only for proven work requirements, health reasons, or necessity

o not move out of the city where you are domiciled

o present a self-certification, if stopped by the police outside of your house

o keep a 1 meter distance from other people

o avoid gatherings of any kind

o leave the house only if strictly necessary, if you belong to a category at risk

o contact the local preventive healthcare department or a doctor, if you show

symptoms. The Lombardy Region’s covid-19 dedicated number is 800 894 545

For more information, find the translated decree in the Useful Links section below.

2. What is the self-certification and how do I obtain it?

The self-certification is the document that attests your need to leave your domicile. Indeed, by signing the self-certification you declare that you are aware of the current restrictions on mobility and the fines you will incur in case of non-compliance, and that you will be charged for criminal offence. You also state that you are not under mandatory quarantine.

Below you can find the downloadable form and its template. You can either print it out at home, which we strongly recommend, or fill it out upon being stopped by the police for a check.

Please note:

- If you move for work, it would be best to also obtain a declaration from your

employer

- If you move for health reasons, you may be asked to also show a doctor’s

certificate

Download: Self-certification & template

Inte

rnat

ion

al S

tud

ents

Off

ice –

ww

w.s

om

.po

lim

i.it –

iso

@m

ip.p

oli

mi.i

t

3. Which services are guaranteed?

Stores that sell essential goods will remain open. This includes food stores, pharmacies, tobacco shops, newsstands and laundry services. The activity of public offices and banks shall also continue, albeit with reduced office accessibility. Check for new updates on the site of the concerned office before visiting, if you have necessity.

4. Can I exercise outdoors, alone?

According to the latest decree, you cannot.

5. I belong to a category at risk. What measures should I take?

It is strongly recommended that you do not leave your house unless strictly necessary. If you live on your own, you can try online shopping, or you can rely on Croce Rossa voluntary workers, who will offer support for purchasing medicines and food on your behalf. The service is free and accessible by calling the phone number 800 065 510 (active 24/7). The workers are recognizable by their red uniform.

The Comune di Milano also offers a similar service for free. Call their Infoline 020202 to know more.

6. I suspect I have contracted the virus because I am showing symptoms of Covid-

19 (breathing difficulty, fever above 37,5°). How should I act?

If you suspect you have contracted the virus, do not go to the hospital.

Contact your general practitioner by phone instead, or the Regional healthcare department ( ph. 800 894 545 ) or Milan’s after hour on-call doctor ( ph. 800 193 344 ).

Follow the instructions you receive from them. In the meantime, you should stay at home and try to keep a distance from your flatmates, if any.

Only use the emergency number 112 if you need immediate assistance, that is, you need an ambulance straight away.

As soon as you can, please contact the ISO to inform us and to receive further support. Write to iso@mip.polimi.it.

7. I may have contracted the virus because an acquaintance I met less than 2

weeks ago was diagnosed with it. How should I act?

Please follow the same guidelines explained above.

As soon as you can, please contact the ISO to inform us and to receive further support. Write to iso@mip.polimi.it.

8. When should I call an ambulance?

You should call an ambulance if your conditions are bad and you need immediate care. Call 112.

9. I have been diagnosed with Covid-19. What should I do?

You have to follow the guidelines of the health authority who has assessed you. If you have minor or no symptoms, as a rule, you can expect to be required to do the following:

- Self-isolate at home for 14 days

- Wear the face mask provided at the start of the monitoring

- Keep a distance from your flatmates. Close the door to your bedroom and

ventilate it regularly

Inte

rnat

ion

al S

tud

ents

Off

ice –

ww

w.s

om

.po

lim

i.it –

iso

@m

ip.p

oli

mi.i

t

- Remain available to go through the necessary health checks

Useful contacts

Health Ministry Number (for general information in Italian, English and Chinese): 1500

Regional Healthcare Number: 800 894 545

After hour on-call doctor in Milan: 800 193 344

Emergency Number: 112

Croce Rossa voluntary work: 800 065 510

Comune di Milano voluntary work: 020202

Health Glossary

In addition to the general healthcare glossary on the ISO webpage, find here a useful glossary for the current emergency:

Fever Febbre

Headache Mal di testa

Dry cough Tosse secca

Cold Raffreddore

Flu Influenza

Lungs Polmoni

Short breath Respiro corto

Fatigue Affaticamento

I feel pain here Ho un dolore qui

Face mask Mascherina

Hand sanitizer Gel disinfettante

Do you speak English? Parla inglese?

Useful Links

Lombardy Region website on Covid-19

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Q&A

Protezione Civile Press

Protezione Civile Activities

DPCM Decree of March 11th: Measures for the containment and management of COVID-19

World Health Organization on Covid-19

Inte

rnat

ion

al S

tud

ents

Off

ice –

ww

w.s

om

.po

lim

i.it –

iso

@m

ip.p

oli

mi.i

t

European Commission on Coronavirus

ANSA: Updates on Covid-19 in Italy

Italian Health Ministry Q&A [ITA]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: UPDATES ON TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OF OTHER COUNTRIES [ITA]

Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport: decree on self-isolation for people who re-enter Italy [ITA]