Italy mandates COVID-19 health pass for all workers

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Italy approved a measure on Thursday to require digital vaccine certificates for all workers, making it the first European country to mandate COVID-19 health passes.

The "green pass" will require employees in both public and private sectors to present a digital pass that shows proof of vaccination, a recent negative COVID-19 test, or proof of recovering from a recent infection.

The decree passed by Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s government begins on Oct. 15 and will remain in force until the end of the year, according to Euronews.

"We are extending the obligation of the green pass to the entire world of work, public and private, and we are doing so for two essential reasons: to make these places safer and to make our vaccination campaign even stronger," Health Minister Roberto Speranza told the press.

While employees who do not present a valid COVID-19 health certificate cannot be fired for it, violators face fines of up to €1,500 or suspensions.

Italy already mandated the "Green Pass" for public sector workers earlier this month, while healthcare workers have required a vaccine since April. With the announcement on Thursday, the country requires all employees to carry the "green pass," per the outlet.

More than 4.6 million people have been infected by COVID-19 in Italy, and more than 130,000 deaths have been attributed to it, according to data obtained by Johns Hopkins University.

Almost 44 million residents have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly 39 million fully vaccinated, according to the World Health Organization. Roughly 60 million people live in the country.

Although it is a first in Europe, Italy is not the first country in the world to mandate vaccinations for workers.

President Joe Biden announced on Sept. 9 that all businesses with over 100 employees would need to require employees to either get vaccinated or show a negative test every week. Biden also signed an order compelling federal workers and contractors to be vaccinated.

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