Italy imposes ‘Green Pass’ on unvaccinated

The new measure was announced Thursday by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as the country battle resurging Covid-19 cases. 

It follows similar measures imposed by France last week, though the French Government has since gone soft on some of the proposed rules to boost vaccination compliance after a wave of nationwide protest.

Without the pass persons will also be prohibited from dining indoors at restaurants.

The new measure takes effect August 5.

Persons who have received a single dose of covid-19 vaccine will receive the green pass valid for 14 days. However, the pass will be valid for nine months after they receive a second shot.

A green pass, a digital or paper certificate of one’s vaccination status, will be issued to anyone who present proof of a negative test taken within 48 hours, the Italian Government stated.

Opponents of the government has criticised the move.

Latest data from the John Hopkins University indicated 5,057 new covid-19 infections registered in Italy, said to be driven by the Delta variant.

Italy has the second highest covid-19 death in Europe behind the United Kingdom.