The duration of the Green pass starting from February 1st will be reduced from nine to six months. The masks will also be mandatory outdoors and until January 31st the extension of the reinforced green pass obligation (only for vaccinated and recovered people) is foreseen in the indoor catering sector also at the counter. The super green pass is extended to swimming pools, gyms, spas and wellness centers, bingo halls. Discos close.
These are some of the decisions taken by the Council of Ministers, approving the new decree which aims to slow down the advance of the Omicron variant in our country.
The obligation to wear an Ffp2 mask is also introduced in cinemas, theaters, means of transport, including local public transport and sporting events. At the same time, the government is considering introducing controlled prices also for the aforementioned protective devices. There is also a ban on the consumption of food and drinks in cinemas, theaters and for sporting events indoors.
No parties in the square on New Year's Eve: events and parties involving outdoor gatherings are prohibited until January 31st, a decision taken to standardize the measures throughout Italy after several Regions and municipalities had already moved in this direction .
On the other hand, there are no recommendations on the maximum number of people to invite home at Christmas or New Year and there is no introduction of the vaccination obligation for all public administration staff.
On the vaccine front, we are moving towards the advance of the third booster dose: no longer after 5 but after 4 months, on this however a special order of the Ministry of Health will arrive after the investigations and the green light of the Italian Medicines Agency ( Aifa).
“The government has raised the level of precautions. Holidays, Christmas and New Year's days arrive and it is important that individual behaviors are adequate. Maximum attention, prudence, masks, hygiene and distance ”, said Health Minister Roberto Speranza at the press conference.
The measures in detail
Green pass duration - The certificate is expected to last six months from February 1st. The duration time is further shortened from the current nine months
Masks - The obligation of outdoor masks is introduced also in the white area and the obligation of Ffp2 is introduced in cinemas, theaters, museums, indoor sporting events, stadiums and means of transport, including TPL. Given the obligation, controlled prices are assessed for the Ffp2 masks.
Super Green pass also at the counter - Until March 31, the date on which the current state of emergency expires, the obligation of a reinforced green pass (only for vaccinated and cured) is extended to indoor catering also at the counter. And also in the white area. Even for a coffee at the counter, therefore, it will be necessary to be vaccinated or cured. It is also forbidden to consume food and drinks indoors, in cinemas, theaters and for sporting events.
Green pass strengthened also for museums and gyms - From 30 December access to museums and places of culture, swimming pools, gyms and team sports, wellness centers and spas, cultural, social and recreational centers, game rooms, bingo halls and casinos it will be allowed only to those who have the super green pass, therefore only to the vaccinated and recovered. Children under the age of 12 and those exempted from the vaccination campaign are excluded from the obligation.
Reduction of times for third dose - By order of the Minister of Health, the minimum period for the administration of the third dose will be reduced from 5 to 4 months from the completion of the primary vaccination cycle. However, AIFA's technical analysis is expected on this point.
Prohibited outdoor parties - Until January 31, events and parties involving outdoor gatherings are prohibited. This is also to standardize the measures throughout Italy, given that some regions and mayors had already moved in this direction
Closed discos - "Ballrooms, discos and similar venues" will remain closed until January 31, Minister Speranza announced at a press conference.
RSA - There is a requirement to be vaccinated with the booster dose to enter the RSA. Alternatively, two doses plus a negative swab.
School - To "ensure the identification and tracing of positive cases in schools", the Ministry of Defense "ensures support to regions and autonomous provinces in carrying out test administration activities" for Covid research and in " analysis and reporting through the military laboratories "present in the area. This is the step to avoid an extension of the Christmas holidays for students and to allow them to return to school in the greatest possible safety.
Checks in ports, airports, borders - “Maritime, air and border health offices” carry out, even on a sample basis, at airports, sea and land, antigenic or molecular tests of travelers entering Italy.
(Unioneonline / L)