November 25

Italy's government has decided to bar unvaccinated people from certain leisure establishments in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The government decided on Wednesday that from December 6, all visitors to restaurants, movie theaters and sports events must have proof of vaccination or of having recovered from infection.

Until now, unvaccinated individuals have been able to enter such facilities with proof of a negative test.

The government also decided to extend mandatory vaccination to police officers and soldiers, in addition to healthcare workers and teachers.

Booster shots, which are currently available for people over 40 years of age, will be offered to anyone over 18 starting next month. Boosters will be mandatory for healthcare workers.

Italy has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe, with more than 72 percent of the population having received two shots. Yet the country confirmed more than 12,000 new cases on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi warned that the situation in neighboring countries is very serious and the situation in Italy is gradually getting worse. He said that Italians need to be prudent to safeguard what they have achieved over the past year.

NHK