Thousands protest in Rome against extension of coronavirus health pass to workplaces
- The health pass has been a requirement to enter museums, sporting events and restaurants since August
- Three weeks ago the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that the scheme would be extended to all places of work from October 15
Thousands of protesters including members of far-right groups demonstrated in central Rome on Saturday against the extension of the Covid-19 health pass system to all workplaces.
There were scuffles with police as the demonstrators took aim at the health pass, which has been a requirement to enter museums, sporting events and restaurants since August.
Retiree Maria Ballarin denounced “criminal and cowardly blackmail” by the Italian state.
By not making vaccinations compulsory but forcing workers to take them “it absolves itself of any responsibility for fatal or serious consequences, but indirectly obliges people to be vaccinated in order to be able to go to work”, she said.
Under the health pass system, anyone entering these establishments must also provide a certificate of vaccination, proof of recovery from Covid-19 or a recent negative test result.
Three weeks ago the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that the scheme would be extended to all places of work from October 15 and any employees refusing to comply would be threatened with suspension without pay.