Any workers failing to show the green pass will face suspension without pay. Those who evade checks would be fined between US$705 and US$1,763.
On Thursday, Italy made the COVID-19 green pass mandatory for all people in the job market, both private and public sectors. Prime Minister Mario Draghi's cabinet delivered the provision with a specific decree that will enter into force on Oct. 15, to give companies and public offices time to adjust.
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The green pass certificate shows proof that a person has received at least one dose of the vaccine, or is fully immunized, or has recovered from the infection, or has tested negative in the last 48 hours.
Italy is the first country in the European Union (EU) to adopt such a stringent regulation. The step was intended as a further incentive to those millions of Italians who have not yet agreed to, or are openly against the vaccine, which remains strongly recommended but not mandatory here.
The non-vaccinated population would include at least 3.6 million people over 50 years old, according to recent data provided by the coronavirus emergency commissioner Francesco Paolo Figliuolo in early September. In a joint press conference with public administration and labor ministers, Health Minister Roberto Speranza explained the measure had two simple but crucial goals.
"Firstly, to make all work places in the country safer and, secondly, to strengthen the vaccination campaign, on which we have very comforting," he said.
U.S. #COVID19 cases are increasing and community transmission is high.
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The 7-day average of daily new cases is 146,182. This is 6.1% higher than the previous week. Get vaccinated. Learn more: https://t.co/FeTyQ7VQeP. pic.twitter.com/dNVcR5Serf
So far, health care workers and school staff in Italy were required to have the green pass. However, out of the job market, the certificate was already required since mid summer to access public transports, including trains, planes, and ferries for long-distance travels, to sit in restaurants and bars indoor, and to access public places such as libraries or leisure facilities.
Critics to the latest provision said it was the same as forcing vaccination surreptitiously. The measure, however, has been backed by most of the political parties, and main industrial and union associations. Once the decree becomes effective, any workers failing to show the green pass will face suspension without pay, but no termination. Those who evade checks would be fined between US$705 and US$1,763.
The rule will also concern self-employed people and workers in the country's top institutions, meaning parliament, ministries, and all judiciary bodies including presidency of the Republic and constitutional court.
Up to Thursday, Italy counted 40.6 million people fully immunized, or 74.9 percent of the target population aged above 12. So far, Italy has registered about 4.6 million COVID-19 cases and over 130,000 related fatalities.
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