Government: compulsory green pass to access company canteens

Decree Law no. 105/2021 established that, as of 6 August 2021, the COVID-19 green certificate ( Green Pass) is mandatory to access a range of services/activities, including catering services provided by any establishment for consumption at the table indoors, gyms and cinemas, to participate in sports and cultural events and selection procedures.

The Green Pass can be issued:

• after the administration of the first dose of vaccine and is valid from the 15th day following until the date scheduled for the administration of the second dose (if it is a double-dose vaccine);
• after recovery from Sars-CoV-2 infection (valid for six months);
• with a negative rapid molecular or antigenic swab (valid for 48 hours).

Note from the Ministry of the Interior

The Ministry of the Interior, while waiting for clarification from the Government on the obligation of the green certificate for workers, with note no. 4073 of 5 August 2021, established that the certificate was not necessary to access canteens, bars and company clubs. This was subject to compliance with the protocols already in force to prevent and contain Covid-19 infection.

The note stated that for canteens outside the company, however, the green certificate remained mandatory, and workers without it, according to the Ministry’s instructions, would have to consume the meal outdoors or in takeaway mode. 

Government FAQ

With FAQ published on 14 August on the institutional portal for the Covid-19 green certificate, the Government has made a U-turn on what was outlined by the Ministry of Interior.

It was established that even “for the consumption of meals at the table indoors, workers can access the company canteen or premises used for the provision of food services to employees only if they have the COVID-19 green certification, as in restaurants. The operators of the above services are required to verify the COVID-19 green certificates as instructed by Prime Ministerial Decree of 17 June 2021.” The obligation applies to public sector and private companies.

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As of 6 August 2021, access to company canteens and catering premises will be denied to any worker who does not submit the green certificate attesting to vaccination or recovery or the possession of a negative (molecular or antigenic) swab within the last 48 hours.

Other related insights:

Green pass to access the workplace is not conceivable in the absence of compulsory vaccination