Italy to require vaccine proof, negative COVID-19 test for many social activities
Tourists walk along the promenade near Ovo Castle, also known as Castel dell'Ovo, seaside fortification in Naples, Italy, on July 21. Photo: Alessio Paduano/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Italy will require people to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status or a recent negative coronavirus test to participate in select social activities, the New York Times reports.
Why it matters: Italy has seen a spike in infections driven by the Delta variant, reporting 5,057 new coronavirus infections Thursday, compared to the 4,259 the day before.
- The country's latest requirement follows a similar move in France which newly demands visitors obtain COVID-19 passes to visit tourist venues.
Details: The Italian government is adopting the requirement of a "green certification," to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
- Starting Aug. 6, people in Italy will have to show their health passes to sit at indoor bars and restaurants, go to museums, swimming pools, gyms, theme parks and more.
- About 40 million people have already downloaded the pass, which was previously used to attend weddings or visit nursing homes, per NYT.
What they're saying: "The virus’s Delta variant is menacing," Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, per NYT. "We must act on the front of Covid-19."