Covid-19: Italy abolishes its ‘Green Pass’: will it be completely gone from May 1?

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Italy will say ‘arrivederci” to the Green Pass, the Italian version of a vaccine passport, but not completely. As set by the Draghi government, Italy may abandon the green certificate on May 1, but not permanently.

In recent months, infections have increased again due to the spread of the Omicron-2 variant and Xe and Xj subvariants, contagious forms that are difficult to detect.

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For this reason, although it is no longer compulsory to present a Green Pass to participate in leisure and social activities or to use public transport, there will be some exceptions, mainly aimed at preventing infection and protecting the health of frail and older people.

It is worth looking at this topic: Here is everything you need to know.

Green passports and transport: back to traveling without a certificate

Goodbye, green passport. While a basic green pass has been sufficient to use public transportation since April 1, as of May 1, a Green Pass will no longer be required, and people will once again be able to travel freely.

As for transport, the government will decide by the end of the month whether to also abolish the face mask requirement, but this will depend only on the epidemiological curve, says the government.

Green pass abolished for cinemas, theaters, and museums

The Green Pass has also been canceled for social and recreational activities. As of May 1, an enhanced Green Pass will no longer be required to attend indoor events and exhibitions, and the simple Green Pass will suffice for outdoor performances. Green light for cinemas, discotheques, theaters, and concerts.

Restaurants, hotels: goodbye to the green pass for the tourism sector

As of May 1, the last restrictions for hotels, festivals, fairs, bars, and restaurants will also be lifted. Thus, anyone will be able to enter the interiors without showing a green pass, even if it was only purchased with a tampon. Free access to conferences and congress halls is also possible again.

Free access to gyms and swimming pools

As of May 1, the requirement for an enhanced Green Pass for indoor sports facilities will no longer apply. The same applies to contact sports and wellness, and spa centers.

Free access to ceremonies

The warm season is a time for ceremonies. Whether held outdoors or indoors, weddings, communions, and confirmations no longer require a green pass, and there is no limit on the number of guests.

Universities without a Green Pass

The requirement for a green certificate will also be waived for public competitions, courses, and students attending a university in person.

Where does the Green Pass still have to be presented?

The requirement to show a Green Pass in almost all places – or nearly all places – will end. Exceptions are made to protect populations at risk of infection. Suppose the green passport is eliminated in the workplace, whether in the public or private sector.

In that case, the vaccination requirement will remain in place until June 15 (and the green passport after that) for all workers over age 50 and for workers in the education, security, and defense sectors, with the only difference being that persons who have not been vaccinated since March 25 can return to work with the basic green passport.

The only sector where the vaccination requirement remains is the health sector, thus the expanded green passport. Therefore, until December 31, medical, paramedical, and administrative personnel are required to present the enhanced green pass. The same obligation also applies to those who need to go to hospitals and nursing homes to visit a relative.