Last update: September 27th, 2021.
Italy began issuing the EU Digital COVID Certificate on June 15th in order to get its tourism industry back on track. Since then, the country has adjusted the local uses for the certificate to limit the spread of the Delta variant.
The launch of the EUDCC marks the reopening of European borders for the summer of 2021, in hopes of counteracting the massive financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of emergency in Italy has been extended to the end of the year.
How does the EU COVID Certificate work in Italy?
Italy was one of the first EU countries that began issuing the EU Digital COVID Certificate, alongside Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, and Spain.
On July 1st, the EU Digital COVID Certificate became the standard COVID passport in Europe. It is not mandatory. It allows holders to visit European countries while limiting the need for testing and quarantine.
It is a standardized document for EU citizens to prove that they have been vaccinated with any of the EU approved vaccines, recently recovered, or recently received a negative PCR test result.
Digital and hard copies are available in English and Italian.
Italian green pass: local uses
The Delta variant is causing a new wave of COVID-19 infections across Europe, forcing countries like Italy to adapt their restrictions.
As a precaution, most indoor activities have been restricted to holders of an Italian COVID Pass. This includes the following establishments: cinemas, exhibition centers, gyms, museums, theaters, stadiums, and swimming pools.
Italy’s green pass grants access to indoor dining and casinos for vaccinated and tested citizens, but nightclubs remain closed until further notice.
The Italian COVID certificate will also be required to attend wedding receptions and visit high-risk individuals such as those in care homes.
But that’s not all: according to local media, as of September 2021, the Italian Green Pass is also mandatory for passengers on public transport, teachers, and university students.
Health minister Roberto Speranza recently revealed that the Italian Green Pass would become a requirement for all workers, from both public and private sectors, in an effort to “strengthen the vaccination campaign”.
The new rules were confirmed on September 18th, making Italy the very first European country to mandate vaccines in all public and private workplaces. Starting in mid-October, showing up to work without a valid COVID certificate (or exemption thereof) could mean up to five days of suspension. Afterwards, workers’ pay can be suspended if they still fail to produce a valid certificate.
Premier Mario Draghi said that “the Italian economy is going well. It’s reviving, and Italy is growing at a rhythm superior to that of other EU nations.″ These new restrictions are aimed at keeping Italy’s revival on par.
Italy COVID Passport Criticism
Conservative party leader Matteo Salvini, calls the measures “draconian” and is opposed to the new regulations. He explains that COVID passes are “fine for stadiums, but not for eating a pizza”.
He warned that the measures are “draconian, improvised and unmeasured choices that exclude the majority of Italians from their right to work and to move freely”.
In spite of the criticism received by the green pass, the imposition of such proof when entering public venues and other businesses seemed to have a positive impact on vaccine rates across Italy.
“[Italian] regions are posting a jump in vaccination appointments from 15 to 200 percent,” reported Il Sole 24 Ore.
Italy’s travel health certificate
Further steps have been taken to ensure the safety of Italians as borders open to the rest of Europe and the world.
All passengers traveling into Italy, regardless of their vaccine status, need to complete the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form, which is also known as THC or Travel Health Certificate.
The form is aimed at storing contact details and travel information of passengers to effectively track and contact them if needed.
Travelers are advised to complete the form before departing, to receive a barcode and reference number for use at the border crossing.
The following information is needed to complete the form:
- Full name, age, and nationality
- Email address and mobile telephone number
- Date of arrival and departure
If travelers do not complete the form before arrival, they will be asked to do so at the border gate.