"Reopening the economy" and "limiting
distance learning, is a state we have arrived at, and cabinet
OK'd major measures eliminating almost all the restrictions that
have limited our behaviour," Premier Mario Draghi said
announcing the end of the state of emergency at the end of March
and an end to the Green Pass on May 1.
"I want to also thank all the Italians for their altruism, and
patience demonstrated in these years: we are often perceived as
having a scant civic sense but instead we have been very good in
this pandemic, we should be proud of that", he told a press
conference.
Vaccines averted some 80,000 deaths last year, he added.
Draghi aid the government was ready, however, to "adapt on the
basis of the epidemiological curve" in COVID cases.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza said the functions currently
being performed by COVID emergency commissioner Francesco
Figliuolo would devolve onto other "units" until the end of the
year, while the colour-coded system for regions' COVID risks
would be ended.
Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi said he was pleased with the
cabinet's decision to extend COVID staffing until the end of the
school year.
The obligation to have the Green Pass to do many things in Italy
will end on May 1, sources said after cabinet approved a road
map easing COVID restrictions from the end of April. From April
1 foreigners will no longer be required to show a 'Super Green
Pass' in restaurants, ministerial sources said. The League
vainly tried to get the government to bring the end to the Green
Pass forward to April 15, two days before Easter Sunday. Earlier
on Thursday the government's 'control room' task force met to
discuss the steps of the phasing out the nation's COVID-19
restrictions with the coronavirus state of emergency ending on
March 31. The current regime under which people must wear
facemasks in enclosed public spaces, including schools, will
remain in force until April 30, the sources said. The obligation
to wear facemasks on public transport will continue until the
end of April too, therefore, although it will no longer be
necessary to show a Green Pass to get on from April 1, according
to the sources. At the moment the Super Green Pass, which shows
a person is vaccinated for the coronavirus or has recovered from
it, is needed to do almost all social, leisure, cultural or
sporting activities in Italy and over-50s also need it to access
places of work. Over-50s will be able to access places of work
with a base Green Pass, which can be obtained by having a
negative test although it only lasts a few days in this way,
like younger people during the month of April. The government
has also decided that all COVID-linked capacity limits at places
such as soccer stadiums and night clubs will end on April 1, the
sources said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
