Italy has experienced a fast increase in Covid cases and the Super Green Pass has been in force since December 6th 2021.
The Super Green Pass is more than the Standard Green Pass and the latter certification, obtained with a negative antigen swab, is no longer enough to access some social activities such as museums and restaurants and now onwards it will be necessary to be vaccinated or recovered from a Covid infection to be granted access.

It is the reinforced certification established as a further measure to face the fourth wave and it was used to be able to spend Christmas and New Year’s eve without the restrictions that characterized the 2020 holidays even though all major events were canceled in Italy in 2021 and beginning of 2022 too.
The measures were already in force in some regions in the Yellow Zone – which means after exceeding the limit of occupancy of 15% of beds in intensive care.
The Super Green Pass, combined with the possibility of receiving the third dose for all adults after only four months from the previous shot, will apparently serve to further push the vaccination campaign, which could prove to be fundamental in countering the arrival of new variants and to contrast Omicron.
Liguria became “yellow” before Christmas and in the Yellow and Orange Zone the Super Green Pass is always required for all activities such as hotels and accommodation facilities, changing rooms and showers in sports facilities, local and national transport, cinemas and more.
Being in the yellow zone for Liguria means that all businesses remain open and there is no longer a curfew in place but masks became mandatory both indoors and outdoors.
It's now possible to eat at the restaurant with your friends but no more than six people can sit at the same table.
Many people have become wary of the Super Green Pass because, since the Omicron variant came out, it is now required also to show proof of a negative swab before attending social events such as concerts and shows.
Many people are finding it daunting having to pay for a swab because here in Italy they are not offered for free like in some other European countries.
The cost for an antigen rapid test is set to be fifteen euros. The government decided this price and the pharmacies need to follow these guidelines.
The vaccination of children has started with children aged 5 and above and the vaccination booster is available to all citizens now.
I know people who have lost their job because they refused to get vaccinated and their job status shows as ‘banned.’ They may get their job back once they decide to comply with the regulations in place or once the Super Green Pass may be no longer needed.
This situation has created much tension here in Italy and, in the main cities, the Christmas shopping has been made difficult by the anti-Green Pass demonstrations which took place almost daily (and especially on the weekends).
Some demonstrations were also a bit aggressive and some incidents led to some arrests and vandal acts.
I don’t know how the situation is in other countries but here the news and the talk shows only debate about the Covid situation and virtually no other topics, therefore increasing the anxiety level of many.
I think it’s a complicated situation which is leading to several financial issues in this country and unemployment is skyrocketing.
Not the best way to start the new year but we can always hope things will improve in this 2022. Happy New Year to all!