Italy new covid restrictions for unvaccinated come into force on Monday, where a negative COVID-19 test no longer grants access to bars, restaurants, and domestic public transport.
People who recently recovered COVID-19 are exempted from the new rule which will be in force until March 31.
The latest restriction comes into force as many Italians returned to work and school following the end-of-year festive period.
More than 1,000 municipalities have decided to keep schools closed on their territory, as per media reports.
More than 86 per cent of the over-12s have been vaccinated and some 15 per cent of children aged five to eleven have received their first vaccine.
Italians have in large number supported the restrictions, which in recent months have also included outdoor mask mandates and a standard health pass to get into workplaces. Many welcomed the new restrictions, which were being enforced Monday by police fanning out at train stations to check passengers’ vaccine status and make sure they were wearing the more protective FFP2 face masks, which were required on public transport as of Monday.
The government announced last week that vaccination for people over the age of 50 will be mandatory from February 15. Non-compliance with the mandate will result in a €100 fine.
