Last month, Italian prime minister Mario Draghi encouraged all Italians to get vaccinated in an effort to avoid higher infection rates.
Starting August 6, entry to places like museums, theaters, cinemas, swimming pools and gyms will now require presentation of a “green pass”.
Those who wish to be served indoors at restaurants must also have a green pass.
I invite all Italians to get vaccinated and to do so straight away. Without vaccinations, we’d have to close everything again.
Mario Draghi
The pass is available to those who have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, as well as anyone who presents proof of a negative test taken within 48 hours before accessing any of the activities under restriction.
In recent months, Italy has seen a series of protests part of the anti-vaccination movement.
This past week, Italians gathered to burn their green passes in protest to health mandates from the government. One video shows protesters chanting “born free and we’ll die free”.
Italy’s state of emergency, which gives the government power to impose lockdowns, has been extend to the end of the year.