Since last Friday, Italy became the first major European economy to require all workers to provide proof of vaccination, a negative test within the last 48 hours or proof of surviving infection in order to gain access to the workplace. Previously, the ID was required for entering public places such as restaurants, museums and theaters and for domestic travel.
The government said the measure was necessary to ensure job security so that the Italian economy, which shrank by 8.9 percent in the past year, can recover. Opponents argue that the rule violates their rights and is an unfair burden on workers and employers alike.
It is “painful and surprising” that violent protests are now taking place, Mattarella said, “and not in the dark moments when we feared the country’s collapse, but now when we are experiencing an encouraging economic, social and cultural upturn see”.