Italy Ends Covid-19 State of Emergency After Two Years of Authoritarian Rule
Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
Last December, Italy imposed new restrictions on the unvaxxed amid concern over the Omicron variant that mostly appeared to infect fully vaccinated individuals. Most public activities were banned for people without a Covid “Super Green Pass.”
The Super Green Pass was needed to enter theaters, sporting events, restaurants, and bars. Violators will be charged between 400 and 1,000 euros.
Protests against vaccine mandates in Italy reached their 18th week as the rest of Europe rises up against Covid-19 tyranny.
After more than two years of an authoritarian regime, Italy ended its state of emergency after it was introduced by the former premier Giuseppe Conte on January 31, 2020.
Starting today, the “green pass” is no longer needed for citizens to access public services but some rules will still remain in place.
Greek Skai reported:
[Translation] By decision of the government of Mario Draghi, at midnight ended the state of emergency imposed on Italy on January 31, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, Friday, a series of precautionary measures and bans cease to apply. The “green pass” is no longer needed for citizens to access public services, banks, hotels, post offices and hairdressers. The same applies to the entry of citizens in shopping malls and shops.
You do not need any kind of certificate to be able to sit at the tables of cafes and restaurants in open spaces. In urban transport, a vaccinated passport is no longer necessary – however, the use of a mask is required.
Until April 30, citizens will need to wear a mask and have a vaccination certificate to be able to watch theatrical performances and film screenings indoors. The vaccination certificate remains mandatory to go to weddings, celebrations, birthdays, discos, clubs.
In the case of indoor sports facilities, the pass remains in force, while in stadiums and other open facilities, entry will be allowed upon presentation of a negative diagnostic test.
From today, employees can enter all workplaces with a vaccination certificate and a simple test. This change also applies to citizens over the age of 50, for whom vaccination was mandatory. From now on, it will be enough to wear a surgical mask in the workplace.
Until the end of the year , the mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 remains in force for employees in hospitals and nursing homes.
The rules also change with regard to quarantine: only those who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 will be isolated. Anyone who comes in contact with a case should wear a high protection mask for ten days and get tested for symptoms.
