ROME, Apr 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) – More than two years after its announcement, and following several extensions, Italy yesterday officially ended the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency.
The end date, Mar 31, was originally announced by Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, in Feb. Italy can now gradually phase out the remaining COVID measures between today and Dec 31, 2022.
From today on, the four-tier system, based on a colour code – white, yellow, orange and red zones for no, low, medium and high pandemic risk, respectively – will no longer apply. This means that the remaining measures will apply nationwide, regardless of the local or regional epidemiological situation.
Several rules will change starting today, according to a cabinet decree passed earlier in Mar. Among the changes that will impact Italians’ daily life the most are those concerning the “normal” green pass – showing proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test – which will no longer be needed to enter offices, banks, shops and the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars. However, the pass will still be required for patrons inside cafeterias and restaurants.
Another key change provides that, those aged 50 or older, who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, will be allowed to access their workplaces again, by presenting a negative test result.
However, the so-called “super” green pass (showing proof of vaccination or recovery only), will remain mandatory until Dec 31, for healthcare workers, including those in nursing homes.
Also from today, local public transport passengers will not be required to present a green pass, but will still be obliged to wear face masks on board until Apr 30. The wearing of face masks will continue to be required until Apr 30, to enter shops, offices, restaurants, gyms, pools, theatres and other leisure and cultural venues, as well as, workplaces.
The mandate to wear masks outdoors will be lifted everywhere in Italy, as will the obligation to wear an FFP2 (filtering face piece) mask, in classrooms.
Stadiums and all other sports facilities will be allowed to operate at full capacity again. Proof of vaccination and wearing a face mask will continue to be needed to access indoor facilities. In stadiums, a negative test result received within 48 hours, as well as, an FFP2 mask will suffice.
From today on, only infected people will have to self-isolate. Close contacts of infected individuals – even if they are not vaccinated – will no longer be required to quarantine.
The quarantine obligation at schools will also be lifted. From today, only pupils who eventually test positive will be required to self-isolate. Their classmates, aged six and older, and teachers will have to wear FFP2 masks for ten days, but only if several active cases are identified.
The “super” green pass will remain mandatory for visitors to hospitals and care homes until Dec 31.
Italy first declared a COVID-19 state of emergency on Jan 31, 2020. To date, the country has registered some 14.5 million cases, including 13.1 million recoveries and over 159,000 fatalities.
Almost 90 percent of people aged 12 and above have completed the vaccine cycle. In addition, some 38.8 million of the nearly 59 million population have received their booster doses.– NNN-AGENCIES