From October 15, Italy’s 23 million workers must have a green pass to show they have been vaccinated, tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous 48 hours or recovered from the virus.
Employees who go to work without the pass will be suspended from work and go without pay after five days; they will also face fines of between €600 and €1500, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The decree will remain in effect until December 31, when Italy’s state of emergency expires.
The pass is currently required for indoor dining in restaurants, long-distance domestic travel and many cultural activities, as well as in certain workplace environments including schools and universities.
Announcing Thursday’s decree, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said the new measures would improve safety and “make our vaccination campaign even stronger”.
Around 74 per cent of Italy’s population have had at least one COVID-19 shot and 68 per cent are fully vaccinated, figures broadly in line with most other EU countries.
