New ‘Green Pass’ Rules, Travel Regulations & Vaccination Updates

Tuscan president Eugenio Giani in the van that will bring vaccinations to Tuscan beaches

With the EU ‘Green Pass’ now required for social activities in Italy beginning on August 6, on the same day Prime Minister Draghi announced the that pass will be necessary in other areas of daily life beginning on September 1, 2021.

Teachers, school personnel and college students must have a copy of the ‘Green Pass’ on hand before entering an institute of higher learning after summer vacation; ditto for travelers on planes, high-speed or interregional trains and buses in addition to ferries, while commuters on taking local city buses, trams and regional train lines will be exempt.

Guests may check into hotels and dine indoors on the premises without a ‘Green Pass,’ although the certificate–either online or printed–is mandatory to access an indoor swimming pool, spa or wellness center at the same facility.

Covid swabs will now be available at the pharmacy at a cost of €8 for minors, €15 for adults.  Printed copies of the ‘Green Pass’ and Covid vaccinations can also be requested the pharmacy, click here for the info.

The Italian Health Ministry has confirmed that travelers to Italy from the U.S., UK, Canada, Japan and Israel, plus visitors from the E.U. or Schengen Zone countries can display a document (in the case of the U.S., the CDC card) attesting vaccination issued by their country in lieu of the ‘Green Pass’ to enter museums, restaurants, theaters, gyms and other locations where the ‘Green Pass’ is needed.

In Italy, family doctors and pediatricians will be authorized to give vaccinations to ages 12 – 16 starting on August 10 from 10 am to midnight.  A van staffed by medical personnel will be arriving to vaccinate those over 12 on vacation at the beach.  This service kicks off on August 7 and continues all month at locations including Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Marina di Grosseto and other places.

Tuscan residents also can now move up the date of their second jab.  Those interested in either option can make a reservation on the Region of Tuscany’s vaccination website.

To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.

(rosanna cirigliano)