The list compiled by the health ministry includes Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
The ban affects anyone who has stayed in or travelled through these countries in the last 14 days, regardless of nationality or residency, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement.
“Around the world the pandemic is in its most acute phase” Speranza said.
“We cannot waste the sacrifices the Italians have made in recent months.”
All direct as well as connecting flights to and from the countries on the list are suspended until further notice.
Travellers from all other countries outside the European Union and the passport-free Schengen area can travel to Italy but must quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival.
While Italy remains off-limits to tourists from most non-European countries, residents are allowed to return to Italy from anywhere else in the world – provided they quarantine themselves for two weeks after they land.
Italy was the first European country to be hit hard by the coronavirus after its outbreak first emerged on February 21.
It has recorded almost 35,000 deaths but the daily tally of fatalities and new infections have dwindled to a fraction of those seen at the peak of the pandemic in late March.
On Thursday, the Civil Protection Agency reported 12 deaths over the last 24 hours, down from 15 the previous day, while new cases increased to 229 from 193.
With ANSA
