Italy launched the first ‘COVID-free’ passenger train

The first “COVID-free” train in Italy, in which its passengers had to prove that they did not suffer from coronavirus before boarding, left this Friday from Roma Termini station for Milan., at the initiative of the Italian public railway company Trenitalia.

At 08:50 local time (06:50 GMT), the first of the two daily trains that will make the same trip, but in the opposite direction, since the second will leave Milan Central Station at 6:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. GMT) bound for Rome, although It is not excluded that after the initial phase, the trips can be extended to other cities.

Passengers wishing to board had to present at the station 45 minutes before departure with a document certifying the negative result of a PCR or an antigen test carried out in the 48 hours preceding the trip, as explained by the company.

It was also possible to perform the free form and, to this end, the Red Cross has set up a tent next to Termini station, where the Minister of Infrastructure was also present, Enrico Giovannini, and tourism, Massimo Garavaglia, to support the initiative.

Free trials can be taken at both stations, provided it is booked when purchasing the ticket, while children up to 6 years old are exempted from taking the test, unless expressly requested by parents.

People already vaccinated will also have to present a negative certificate or be tested before leaving., as well as all staff who travel on trains, from machinists to catering or cleaning staff.

In cases where the test for a positive result, the ticket price will be refunded at 100%, even if the customer bought it at reduced rates, according to Trenitalia.

In all cases, trains will travel with a 50% capacity, as happens in the rest of the Italian railways by the national regulations in force.

(With information from EFE)

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