(CNN) – We have had pre-travel tests, quarantine on arrival and “covid-free” flights. Now there is something new in the travel industry’s fight against the pandemic: “covid-free” trains.
The concept is launched in Italy, the first European country to be hit hard by Covid-19, which is gripped by a dreaded third wave a year later.
But the country’s main train operator has announced plans for “covid-free” trains, including to Italy’s top tourist destinations this summer.
Gianfranco Battisti, CEO of the state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, has said that these trains will test both passengers and staff on Covid-19 before boarding. Passengers must arrive at the station one hour before departure.
“We will be launching a covid-free train in early April,” Battisti said.
“We have chosen the Rome-Milan route for the first test phase. We will then implement this for tourist destinations before the summer.”
“It will be a unique opportunity for people to visit destinations such as Venice and Florence.”
The company is collaborating with the Red Cross and the Italian Civil Defense on the tests. A Trenitalia spokesperson told CNN that further details cannot be confirmed at this time. However, it is expected that the Rome-Milan tickets will go on sale on Frecce’s high-speed trains in the near future.
Italian trains are currently running at 50% capacity. Passengers must wear masks and on high-speed trains, where reservations are required, must be seated in their assigned seat.
Battisti’s comments came during a presentation in Rome of the “treno sanitario” or “health train” – a mobile hospital with eight carriages designed to care for patients transported between regions. It was developed because Italy is grappling with a third wave of Covid-19, and some regional health services are under more pressure than others.
The train – with three ICU carriages equipped with fans – can even take passengers abroad if necessary.
Meanwhile, eleven major train stations across Italy will allocate “screening” areas operated by the Red Cross – presumably to be used for the Covid-free services.
Hubs include Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Venice Mestre and Bari, for those traveling to beach resorts in Apulia.
Rome’s Termini station is also going to be a hub for the vaccination program, which the government has promised to speed up, as many Italians in their 80s are still waiting for their injections.