Rome : New measures against Covid-19 will come into force in Italy on Friday, where every employee now must have a so-called “green pass,” showing proof of vaccination, recovery from or a negative test for Covid-19.
The new measures, which affect some 23 million employees in the private or public sector across Italy, are controversial and have been met with some resistance, said dpa international.
Critics have been campaigning against the measures, which are being introduced to allow further Covid-19 relaxations.
Rome police arrested 12 people – including two leaders of a far-right party – after protests against coronavirus restrictions turned into serious riots a week ago.
A fresh demonstration is planned for the capital on Friday, while port workers in Trieste in the north of the country plan to block the port in protest.
Authorities argue that cinemas, theatres and concert halls will be allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity again if visitors have a green pass.
The green pass rules are designed to avoid people catching Covid-19 at work and needing to quarantine collectively.
“For companies and employees, the Green Pass increases safety in the workplace and guarantees production,” Maurizio Stirpe, Vice President of the employers’ organization Confindustria said.
Companies that do not make sure their employees have a green pass face fines of up to 1,000 euros (1,156 dollars).
The green pass is already in use in several other sectors like schools and the healthcare system.
A total of 85 percent of Italians over the age of 12 have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination.
