Italy’s Green Pass system will come into effect on August 6, requiring the EU Digital Covid certificate to be shown to access certain non-essential services, such as eating inside in restaurants and on entry to outdoor events, wellness centres, pools, gyms, theatres, museums and cinemas. (A quick coffee at the bar counter will be allowed for all.)
The certification shows that you have been vaccinated (one dose is sufficient for access), that you have had a negative test in the last 48 hours, or that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months. It is assumed that non-Europeans will be permitted access by showing a counterpart certificate from their countries of origin.
Failure to comply with the green pass system may result in a fine between 400 and 1,000 euro for both the business and the customer. Repeated violations could result in a ten-day closure for the business.
At a press conference announcing the new rules, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi explained that the decision had been taken to enable business owners to keep their activities open and to ensure a “serene summer”. Other measures still under discussion include the introduction of the Green Pass requirement on public transport, in the workplace and for school staff.
New parameters are also being introduced to assess infection levels across the Italian regions based on beds available in ICU units and other wards.
