Prime Minister Mario Draghi confirmed on Friday that some of the country’s coronavirus restrictions will be gradually relaxed from April 26, including the lifting of a ban on travel between regions in low-risk “yellow zones”.
Draghi added that people could also be allowed to enter and leave areas which remain classified as moderate-risk “orange zones” and high-risk “red zones”, using a travel pass.
However, he did not give any details of what form this pass would take or what the requirements would be.
According to Italian media reports on Monday, the new “green pass” would prove that the holder had either been vaccinated (with two shots in the case of Pfizer, Moderna and Astrazeneca, and one shot in the case of Johnson & Johnson), had tested negative for coronavirus within the past 48 hours, or had already contracted and recovered from the virus.
The pass is expected to be in the form of a paper document at first, before later being converted to an app or QR code, according to media reports.
The document would need to be shown before boarding at airports or train stations, and when stopped by police at a checkpoint if travelling by car.
It is not yet clear when the new pass would be made available.
Further details on this and other aspects of Italy’s roadmap to reopening the economy are expected by Thursday, as ministers are currently finalising the country’s next emergency decree, due to come into force on Monday.
The Italian government has not yet confirmed any plans to relax the current restrictions on international travel to Italy.
The tourism minister last week suggested June 2 as a possible date for a return to non-essential travel, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Testing and quarantine are currently required for almost all international arrivals, and these requirements are expected to stay in place for many travellers for some time yet as the speed of Italy’s vaccination program trails behind the European average.
