Advertisement

Italy brings in tighter rules on using Covid green pass from Tuesday

The Local Italy
The Local Italy - [email protected]
Italy brings in tighter rules on using Covid green pass from Tuesday
Milanese wearing protective face masks walk along a shopping street in the center of Milan on January 13, 2021. - Italy's health minister announced on January 13, 2021 a partial reopening of museums, while most other coronavirus restrictions were due to be extended, measures that would apply only to less-infected "yellow" regions, while "respecting all social distancing measures". Italy, which has recorded nearly 80,000 deaths from the pandemic, has had colour-coded regional virus restrictions since November, when all the museums were shut. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Most shops in Italy require a ‘basic’ version of Italy’s Covid health certificate while the validity of vaccine passes has been cut from nine to six months as of Tuesday, February 1st.

Advertisement

Customers must now show a 'basic' version of Italy's green pass to enter banks, post offices, public offices, tobacconists, bookshops, newsagents (except outdoor kiosks) and shopping malls, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister Mario Draghi on January 21st.

The basic version of the pass is already a requirement for entry to hairdressers, barbers, and beauty salons.

These rules are in addition to the existing requirement of a ‘super’ green pass on all forms of public transport, in bars and restaurants, gyms, hotels, cinemas, theatres and sports stadiums.

READ ALSO: Where you now need to show a Covid green pass in Italy

Italy currently has a two-tiered green pass system in place, with the basic version of the pass available to those who test negative, alongside the ‘reinforced’ or ‘super’ green pass which proves the bearer is vaccinated against or has recovered from Covid-19.

Passes based on rapid tests are valid for 48 hours, while PCR or molecular test results produce a pass that remains valid for 72 hours.

Advertisement

Shops which can be accessed without a pass include supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies and fuel stations. Green pass requirements do not apply to children under 12.

Vaccine pass validity reduced from nine to six months

February 1st also sees the validity of Italy’s ‘super’ or ‘reinforced’ green pass, which can be obtained only through vaccination or recovery from Covid, reduced from nine to six months.

While the government is reportedly planning to extend the validity of the pass indefinitely for those who have had a third or booster dose, this change has still not been officially confirmed as of Tuesday morning.

READ ALSO: How do Italy’s Covid-19 rules change from February 1st?

More announcements are expected later this week, as the Italian government is reportedly planning to hold further meetings before publishing a new decree on Thursday.

For more information about Covid-19 restrictions in Italy please see the Italian health ministry’s website (available in English).

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

Anonymous 2022/02/01 16:47
Why is it that one needs a Super Green Pass to enter an Italian university, yet this same policy is not enforced at the high school and lower levels? A high school administrator told me they aren't allowed to require Covid-19 vaccination, which seems strange since public schools already require a list of other standard vaccinations.
Anonymous 2022/02/01 14:44
An apology to Clare: you were right about the undecided nature of a proposal to make the 3-injection Green Pass unlimited in duration. It's still likely, and government officials have privately expressed their approval, but a firm decision may not come until later this week. Incidentally, these exchanges have not been posted by Andrea, but by me, her Italian husband. Alas, much of the conventional press -- including the normally sober (by Italian media standards) Corriere della Sera -- reported it as a done deal. Which isn't the case. As an Italian, I should have known better! All the more so because I'm a retired journalist. Sigh. Once again, Clare, compliments on your professionalism. Francesco
  • Anonymous 2022/02/01 15:20
    Hi Francesco, Thanks for the kind comment, and no apology necessary - I know all too well how tricky it can be to follow these updates in the Italian media, due to the way speculation is often presented as known fact (sometimes even in the more serious or sober newspapers, as you note!) We try to be extra vigilant about these things at The Local, not least because many of our readers don't speak Italian and really depend on us to get things right. Thanks for following our reports.

See Also