AFS in Italy (Intercultura) is providing each student returning to Italy with a signed document stating that the student is traveling home, potentially accompanied by a relative: the decrees recently issued by the Italian Government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic explicitly exclude the cases of students going back to Italy (Italian citizens who are abroad for study reasons are encouraged to go back to Italy and are allowed to reach their hometown) and for relatives collecting them at the airport—one person is allowed to reach the airport to collect a relative traveling from abroad.

Regarding the return of the students to Italy, it is important to note that AFS Italy (Intercultura) has been working closely with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the network of the Italian Embassies and Consulates abroad. AFS-USA has been advised by AFS Italy (Intercultura) that these institutions support the return of the students to their home countries, due to the fact that no one can predict how the situation will evolve in the local community where the students are currently hosted. Over the last few days more than 500 Italian students from different countries have already traveled and returned home safely.

As stated by AFS Intercultural Programs in Italy, “We strongly believe it is in the best interest of our participants to be back with their natural families in their home countries in these uncertain times and the large majority of the Italian families have applauded this decision and have expressed gratitude for the efforts in organizing the return of the students.