Italy has made vaccine passports compulsory for all workers under a new decree, becoming the first major European country to enforce the controversial measures.
Workers in the public and private sector will have to show proof of vaccination, a recent negative virus test or recovery from Covid-19 in the previous six months.
The rules will be enforced from October 15 and will likely be met with backlash among rights groups.
Italy has made vaccine passports compulsory for all workers under a new decree in the first major European country to enforce the controversial measures
Health Minister Roberto Speranza said: 'The Green Pass is an instrument of freedom, that will help us make workplaces safer. The second reason is to reinforce our vaccine campaign.'
Slovenia and Greece adopted similar measures this week but Italy's economy, the third largest in the EU, is the largest to implement the regulations.
The measure underscores the government's determination to avoid another lockdown even as the number of new virus infections creeps up, mostly among the unvaccinated.
Ministers said the measures were aimed at reinforcing Italy's economic recovery, with GDP forecast to grow 6 per cent this year, at a critical moment in the pandemic.
Schools have reopened and cooler weather is moving more activities indoors, where the virus spreads more easily.
They also expressed concern about the impact of any possible new variants.
Workers face fines up to 1,500 euros and employers up to 1,000 euros if they do not comply.
The rules will be enforced from October 15 and will likely be met with backlash among rights groups
Public sector employees risk suspension if they rack up five absences for failure to show up with a Green Pass while private sector workers can be suspended after the first failure.
The measures remain in effect as long as Italy is in a state of emergency,
