ROME – Italians over the age of 50 will be legally obliged to be vaccinated against Covid-19, according to a new decree unanimously approved by the cabinet Wednesday evening. The rule comes into force immediately and is in place until June 15, with one-time fines of 100 euros for non-compliance starting Feb. 1.

 The decision came out of a two-hour meeting - the first time the cabinet has gathered this year - in which other new Covid measures were agreed upon, such as all staff working in universities and higher education art, music and dance institutions must be vaccinated, regardless of their age.

 Prime Minister Mario Draghi originally wanted the Super Green Pass (essentially a vaccination certificate, which also includes those who have recovered from Covid) to be required to enter shops, banks and hairdressers, but ministers from the Northern League protested this and so it was dropped. A basic Green Pass (which doesn’t require vaccination, just that you’ve had a negative Covid test within the last 48 hours) is still required, however, to enter such places.

 Italian media has noted that this is the third time that pandemic rules have changed and Prime Minister Draghi has not shown face, nor made any comment on the decisions to citizens.

 Some ministers made statements about the latest changes outside Palazzo Chigi. Renato Brunetta said, “it is an extraordinary result, we are the first in the EU to vaccinate over 50s, we were the first on the green pass, we are second to none in Europe.” Patrizio Bianchi commented that, "decisions were made unanimously in the spirit of keeping schools open, with all the precautions differentiated according to the levels of education."

ln