The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has lifted its travel advice about volcanic activity at Mount Etna, days after issuing a warning for Brits heading to Italy and Vatican City.
The update, posted under the 'Warnings and Insurance' page covering Italy and the Vatican, confirmed the 'Removal of information about Mount Etna volcanic activity'.
Previous alert level raised
Earlier this week, on Monday, September 28, the FCDO had issued advice relating to Mount Etna, the active volcano on Sicily's eastern coast. Italian authorities had increased the alert level because of its volcanic activity. Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes and a hugely popular tourist destination.
Travellers had been advised to follow instructions from local authorities if an eruption occurs. In the fresh update, that advice has now been removed.
General travel guidance remains
Under a section headlined 'Before you travel', the FCDO says: "No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide." It also points travellers to general advice for women travellers, a guide on disability and travel abroad, general advice for LGBT+ travellers, safety advice for solo and independent travel, and advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad.
There had been fears that volcanic activity could disrupt air travel to Sicily, with the FCDO previously stating that arrivals and departures at Catania Airport may be cancelled, delayed or rerouted to Palermo or Comiso if volcanic activity affected the airport. Flights at Catania international airport were halted or diverted at the end of September following new activity by Mount Etna.
Wider safety warnings for visitors
The FCDO does not advise against travel to Italy as a whole, but its general guidance states that "no travel can be guaranteed safe" and tells travellers to read the full advice before travelling.
There are also wider safety points for visitors to Italy. The FCDO warns that demonstrations can occur with little or no warning in cities and advises people to avoid protests, political gatherings and marches. The government also says petty crime, including bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is more common in city centres and at major tourist attractions. Certain warnings about wildfires also remain in place.
