Italy is preparing to adopt a law that will make the “green card” mandatory for all workers. The law, which would penalize workers who don’t get vaccinated or who don’t have a recent negative coronavirus test certificate, is expected to go into effect on Oct. 15.
“The government is ready to accelerate the ‘green card’ not only in the public sector but also in the private sector,” Minister of Regional Affairs Mariastella Gelmini told AFP on Wednesday.
A green card is a certificate that proves someone has been vaccinated against Covid-19, has tested negative in the previous 48 hours, or has recently recovered from the virus. This is currently needed by anyone in Italy who wants to eat in restaurants, go to the cinema and sports stadiums, board intercity trains and buses, or take domestic flights.
Under the new law, employees who fail to present their ID can face a fine of up to €1,000, according to media reports, while unjustified absences due to lack of ID could result in the suspension of the employee.
Italy is not the first European country to make vaccination or regular testing compulsory for employees. Since 13 September, unvaccinated employees in the private and public sectors in Greece have to be examined once or twice a week at their own expense, depending on the profession they are in.
Title image: A man takes a selfie as he receives the third shot of Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at the Eastman clinic in Rome. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
