An airport in Olbia, Italy, on Aug. 4. Photo: Emanuele Perrone/Getty Images
The Italian government announced Thursday that proof of at least one dose of vaccine, a negative coronavirus test or recent recovery from COVID-19 will be required to access indoor dining, theaters, swimming pools, gyms, museums and other facilities starting Friday, according to AP.
Why it matters: Italy, which has been battered by the virus, has not yet mandated the vaccine for the general public, but the new requirements significantly tighten restrictions on unvaccinated people in the country.
- The administration led by Mario Draghi also announced that a Green Pass — a digital or paper certificate — will also be required to board long-distance transportation between regions, according to Reuters.
By the numbers: Italy has vaccinated almost 60% of its population, though it, like many other countries, is experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations driven by the Delta variant of the virus.
- It reported more than 6,500 cases and 21 deaths from the virus on Wednesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The big picture: Conservative politicians have said that Draghi's vaccination campaign has gone too far by discriminating against people who are unvaccinated, damaging freedoms and breaking European Union rules.