ROME, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Italian government, yesterday, approved a decree, allowing extension of the state of emergency over the pandemic for another three months.
Due to expire on Dec 31, the state of emergency was extended until Mar 31, 2022, thus confirming the cabinet’s special powers, in terms of anti-virus rules and crisis management.
The decree allows the central government to keep in place the latest anti-virus restrictions, issued to contain the fourth pandemic wave during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Among such rules is the mandatory use – from Dec 6 to Jan 15, at least – of a so-called “super green pass,” to access public venues, such as restaurants and bars, cinemas, gyms, nightclubs and stadiums.
This certificate shows proof that a person has been vaccinated or has recovered from the COVID-19, in the last six months.
Non-vaccinated people will still be required to show a “normal” green pass (which includes proof of a negative COVID test) to access any other venues and for using local transport.
According to Italian legislation, the state of emergency allows cabinet to act faster, to avoid lengthy bureaucratic procedures, but only in the sectors related to the emergency.
The decision to prolong it was widely accepted across the political spectrum and beyond the government coalition. This broad consensus would likely help Prime Minister, Mario Draghi’s cabinet, since the decree will have to be voted and approved by the parliament.
In fact, a state of emergency can be declared in Italy for 12 months, and possibly extended for another 12 months, making a maximum of 2 years.
For the pandemic, the emergency was firstly declared on Jan 31, 2020 – when the first COVID-19 cases were registered in Rome – for a period of six months and then extended several times.
In order to keep it in place beyond the two years, a specific bill will have to be approved by both chambers of parliament.
