Wedding location has mandatory covid test for 2y/o

[Samafe]

We will fly soon to Italy for the wedding of a dear friend. I am a bridesmaid, my DH is the best man.
Italian law requires negative test to enter the country starting from 6 years old.
They also require a covid pass (proof of vaccination or negative test) starting from 12 y/o to enter restaurants, bars, etc.

DH and I are both double jabbed, DS is 2 y/o so we do not need any additional test by law.

The bride informed me yesterday that the wedding location has independently decided to ask for mandatory testing starting from 2 y/o. Without a test result we cannot enter the location.

This is a big problem because:

• We cannot test DS here because the test result will be expired by then
• In Italy they only test asymptomatic people if they are older than 12 y/o. They test 6 y/o if requested by the pediatrician. They never test below 6 y/o unless there are symptoms or covid contacts.

I called several testing centers and they told me they never tested someone below 12 yo but "they could try if we sign a liberatory, but they have only adult size swabs". Sure. No thanks.

I called the wedding location and they told me "if I go to the hospital and pretend DS has symptoms I can ask for the test". WTF.

AIBU for planning to go without the test? Can they really stop me and not allow me to enter if this is not required by any law??? What would you do if you were me?

We cannot leave DS here since the wedding is part of a 2 weeks vacation.

Ask them to put in writing they want you to fake symptoms. They’ll quickly retract.

Absolutely ridiculous. Can you call them and explain person to person that this rule might be a bit unworkable? I doubt Italy’s Dept of Health would be thrilled about this advice about use of hospital resources!

Could you take some LFT's with you?

You've 2 choices.

You either cancel what you can and don't go - as there's no way you should put a toddler through that, or go and flatly refuse to test your toddler which means you get a holiday but miss the wedding.

Any argument about admitting your 2yo is between the Bride(to be) and the Venue.

@Thehop has the best plan. There’s no way they put that in writing. Ask them to send, in writing, the method by which you can get a test for a 2 year old in Italy.

If Italian law is broadly similar to ours yes they can. It’s a ridiculous rule though.

Are there private PCRs you can obtain in Italy so you can perform the test on baby yourself? The hospital may well have the exact same swabs as the testing sites.

Is there a higher up you can speak to at the venue?

I think taking your own lateral flows is the best option.

I'd take some LFTs and do one before getting to the venue and take a spare with me to do at the venue if they insist on it.

How will the venue know the child's age? If you rock up with a child you tell them is not 2 until next month, what happens then?

That said, taking your own lateral flow tests and reporting the result while out there is probably the sensible route.

This kind of thing is IMO why weddings abroad have now moved from being hugely annoying to the eighth circle of hell. Must be costing guests so much.

@Skiptheheartsandflowers good point. If they ask his age say 1

It also requires a 5 day isolation? Are you planning to do that?

Assuming you are up based

Grrr uk based

It will be because there are more than 60 people attending the event probably, in which case a negative test is required from the age of 2 onwards. The hospitality industry faces massive fines if they don't follow these legal national guidelines.
Testing centres are absolutely testing children, you might just need to look around to find one that does, maybe not all of them are equipped to do so. Maybe get your friend on the ground in Italy to find you one. The red cross have walk in centres all over the place.
As others have said there is also the 5 day quarantine to remember. Though that's up for review at the end of August.

There was apparently a lot of confusion when the whole green pass law was passed, and initially it specified that under 6s, nothing needed for events/ceremonies. That was tweaked to say "unless there are more than 60 participants". And of course, if it's being held in a private hotel or function place, they can apply whatever rules they want, but logically it's probably the 60 people rule.
You'd need to check if you are allowed to do your own tests over here. I've not heard of anyone doing them or even heard them being spoken of but that doesn't mean it's not possible.

You are going to another country and you are required to abide by their law.

@opinionminion

You are going to another country and you are required to abide by their law.

You might want to read the OP again.

Where in Italy are you going OP? I’ll try to help find a testing center that does small children for you. Also are you sure they need a test or are they asking for the green pass? For young kids these are not the same as they are exempt from testing, there is some confusion for events with over60 guests but it appears that the law requires the green pass but not necessarily the test itself. The green pass for children between 2and 5 can be requested without a Covid test by calling 1500 from Italy. It may be easier however to just get a test done!

Dear all,
Thanks for your messages!

I was planning to bring LFTs, but they want a QR code apparently...

They did not specifically say test, but they need a green pass with QR code... can I get one even without testing? Thanks also for the tip of calling 1500.

The location did tell us exactly what you mentioned (>60 people) but they could not mention any law, they said it was "their decision to offer a safe wedding". They cannot point us towards any regulation or document that can provide us helps or guidelines.

The wedding will be in Umbria. Following all rules coming into the country, this will leave us only few hours to have DS tested even if we manage to find a place.

I know other 4 families have the same issue, 2 decided to decline the invite last minute because of this mess...

You don’t need a law, they’ve told you this is their policy so you have to abide by it.

“I called several testing centers and they told me they never tested someone below 12 yo but "they could try if we sign a liberatory, but they have only adult size swabs". Sure. No thanks”

I didn’t know there were swabs specifically for children? My DC have both been tested multiple times using the standard adult sized kits. Youngest would have been 6 at the first test.

I would go with this option.

My 4 year old was swabbed using standard sized adult kits. Just go for that option!

[quote uktrippin]@Skiptheheartsandflowers good point. If they ask his age say 1 [/quote]
Passport required to check into a hotel in Italy.

@Shellfishblastard

“I called several testing centers and they told me they never tested someone below 12 yo but "they could try if we sign a liberatory, but they have only adult size swabs". Sure. No thanks”

I didn’t know there were swabs specifically for children? My DC have both been tested multiple times using the standard adult sized kits. Youngest would have been 6 at the first test.

I would go with this option.

Not sure if this is happening at all test location, my DS was tested couple of times in the last few months and they explained me they are using pediatric "flexible" swabs to avoid damage if the kid is suddenly moving the head (which my son does every single time.....) You cannot really explain to a 2 yo that he has to stay still

I’ve never heard of child size swabs either.

The thing about Italy - and I say this as someone who is part Italian - is that bending rules is part of the culture. So saying he has symptoms to get a test wouldn’t seem particularly shocking.

I also think that saying he’s 23 months might be an option!