Super Green Pass aims to save Xmas says Draghi

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 25 - Premier Mario Draghi said his government was aiming to "save Christmas" after bringing in a 'Super Green Pass' system that will exclude people who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 from many activities.
    The 'Super Green Pass', which will only be granted to the vaccinated and those who have recovered from the coronavirus, will be needed to take part in social, cultural and sporting activities even in low-COVID-risk white zones, although not to access work places, from December 6 until January 15.
    These activities include going to the theatre and cinema, sitting at tables inside bars and restaurants, working out at the gym or having a swim in a pool and watching a game at the stadium.
    The Super Green Pass system could be extended beyond January 15 if necessary.
    Furthermore, the duration of the Green Pass is being reduced from 12 months to nine.
    The new system will mean that, even if a region moves up to being a moderate-risk yellow zone or a medium-high-risk orange zone, there will not be any curtailment on shops, bars, restaurants and cultural and leisure activities, as long as the people involved have the Super Green Pass.
    However, all non-essential shops and activities would be halted for everyone, as in the past, if a region is classed as a high-risk red zone.
    Furthermore, people will have to wear facemasks outside if an area is a yellow zone or higher.
    At the moment the 'ordinary' Green Pass shows that a person is vaccinated for COVID-19, has recovered from the virus in the last six months, or has tested negative in the last few days.
    So it is possible for unvaccinated people to obtain a Green Pass but they need to keep having tests every few days to get a new one.
    The Green Pass is currently needed to do a wide variety of activities in Italy, including to access cinemas, theatres and sporting venues, to travel on inter-regional trains and domestic flights, to sit at tables inside bars and restaurants, and to access places of work.
    Draghi's cabinet decided on Wednesday that Green Pass will now also be required for local public transport.
    The government is making vaccination for COVID-19 obligatory for teachers and police officers too.
    At the moment, health workers and care-home workers are the only groups of workers in Italy obliged to get vaccinated for COVID-19. (ANSA).