Yesterday, the Draghi government, in the context of new provisions concerning the Green Pass and regulations on Italian soil, extended the state of emergency for the pandemic until 31 December.
This is the news that all Kenyan enthusiasts, both frequent travellers and those who have long dreamt of or planned a holiday in the savannah or at the seaside, would not have wanted to receive.
This should mean, even if it is not automatic, but we will know for sure not before September, that until the end of the year, including Christmas, it will be forbidden to travel to countries still banned by the Italian state to tourism.
Fortunately, some hope remains, linked to the fact that the DCPM resulting from these new provisions has yet to be launched and could bring some changes, depending on international relations and the responses that some nations will give with regard to health security.
In particular, countries such as Kenya are expected to make efforts in the field of vaccination, with campaigns aimed at immunising as many citizens as possible, and particularly sensitive categories that may come into contact with foreign travellers. But realistically, the issue of mass tourism is certainly postponed until a later date. At the very least, discussions on the application of the Green Pass for some particular destinations remain open, among which we hope Kenya can also be included. The so-called "Covid Free corridor" for which we at Malindikenya.net, our Embassy and not least the Watamu entrepreneurs Pasquale Tiritò and Roberto Lenzi are working hard, as well as the Italian tour operators who work with the Kenyan coast and Zanzibar.
All that remains to be done is to wait, but yesterday's decision does not allow for optimism.
However, it is worth pointing out that the extension of the state of emergency does not automatically mean the confirmation of the old Prime Minister's Decree that still divides the countries where an Italian can go for tourism without problems from those with different types of restrictions, up to the total ban as is the case today for Kenya, included along with almost all African countries in the band "E", the one with more restrictions, including the mandatory quarantine on return for residents or those who go there for proven reasons of urgency or work.
The fact is that the state of emergency, which is decided by the Council of Ministers, cannot exceed 12 months and cannot be extended for more than another 12 months.
So in fact at most its powers, including that of the decree that also regulates travel abroad, as well as all health measures, cannot go beyond February 2022. The DPCM in fact, as we know, does not need parliamentary approval.
In a week's time, there may be further indications, but it seems that the Kenyan tourism sector, which still depends largely on the influx of Italians, will still have to suffer, presumably until July 2022.