Italy brings in tougher rules for unvaccinated as holidays near

As the new omicron variant continues to spread around the world, Italy, like many countries, tightens the measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, News.Az reports citing AP. 

Unvaccinated Italians face new restrictions in line with the newly implemented "super” green health pass as the Christmas holiday draws near.

Starting Monday through Jan. 15, Italian police can check whether diners in restaurants or bars have a "super” green health pass certifying that they are either vaccinated or have recently recovered from the virus. Smartphone applications that check people's health pass status will be updated and those who have merely tested negative in recent days for COVID-19 will no longer be allowed into concerts, movies or performances.

The move came after the number of new COVID-19 infections in Italy has risen recently. Italy is making life more uncomfortable for unvaccinated people, excluding them from indoor restaurants, theaters and museums to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and encourage vaccine skeptics to get their shots.

Italians in the age range from 30 to 59 have proven the most resistant to vaccinations, with nearly 3.5 million still not having received their first doses. A 57-year-old dentist in Italy faces possible criminal charges after trying to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in a fake arm made of silicone on Saturday.

The number of new infections in Italy has been on a gradual rise for the past six weeks, even before concerns arose about the new omicron variant.

That's a worrying trend as Italians plan holiday parties and getaways to spend time with friends and family. Christmas travel and holiday gatherings were strictly limited last year due to a steeper rise in contagion.

Italy’s vaccination rate is higher than many of its neighbors, at 85% of the eligible population aged 12 and older and 77% of the total population. But people in their 30s, 40s and 50s have proved the most reluctant to get vaccinated, with nearly 3.5 million still not having received their first doses.

They are also the same age group that is now being hardest hit by the virus, according to Silvio Brusaferro, head of Italy’s National Health Institute.

News.Az 

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