Comunicato stampa
The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of the President Mario Draghi and the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza, approved a decree-law that introduces urgent measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic and for the safe performance of economic and social activities.
The text provides for a series of containment measures of the "fourth wave" of the Sars-Cov2 pandemic in four areas:
- vaccination obligation and third dose;
- extension of the vaccination obligation to new categories;
- establishment of the reinforced Green Pass;
- strengthening of controls and promotional campaigns on vaccination.
Vaccination obligation and third dose
The law decree provides for the extension of the vaccination obligation to third dose starting from 15 December next and with the exclusion of the possibility of being assigned to different tasks.
New categories obligation
Furthermore, the provision establishes the extension of the vaccination obligation to further categories starting from 15 December. The new categories involved will be:
- health administrative staff
- teachers and administrative staff of the school
- military
- police forces (including the prison police), public aid personnel.
Green pass
The text approved today provides that the duration of validity of the Green pass it is reduced from the current 12 to 9 months.
The Green Pass obligation is extended to other sectors: hotels; changing rooms for sports activities; regional and interregional rail transport services; local public transport services.
Starting from 6 December 2021 the reinforced Green Pass is introduced; it only applies to those who are either vaccinated or cured. The new Green Certificate is used to access activities that would otherwise be subject to restrictions in the yellow zone in the following areas:
- Shows
- Spectators of sporting events
- Indoor catering
- Parties and discos
- Public ceremonies
In case of passage in the orange zone, the restrictions and limitations do not apply, but only holders of the reinforced Green Pass can access the activities.
From 6 December 2021 and until 15 January 2022 it is envisaged that the reinforced Green Pass for carrying out activities, which would otherwise be subject to restrictions in the yellow zone, must also be used in the white zone.
Other measures
A strengthening of controls will be arranged by the prefectures which must provide a provincial plan for carrying out constant controls within 5 days of the entry into force of the text and are obliged to draw up a weekly report to be sent to the Ministry of the Interior.
The communication campaign in favor of vaccination will be strengthened.
The Government has taken and intends to take other administrative decisions:
- the third dose is already allowed 5 months after the second;
- will immediately open the third dose for under 40s;
- if authorized, vaccination campaigns for the age group 5-12 years may be launched.
