Unvaxxed older Italians now BANNED from their workplaces, violators face heavy fines

02/17/2022 / By Ramon Tomey

Older Italian workers who have not been injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine will essentially be banned from entering their workplaces beginning Feb. 22. The ban on unvaccinated workers will apply to all residents aged 50 and older who work in both the public and private sector.

The unvaccinated worker ban is part of new mandates announced on Jan. 5 and published two days later, alongside the country’s “super green pass” requirement. The pass, which serves the same function as a vaccine passport, is required to enter most establishments in Italy.

Anyone living in Italy who is 50 years old and above – including those set to turn 50 by June 15 – would be required to show their super green pass as proof that they have been injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. Foreign nationals, freelance workers and unemployed individuals are subject to the new rules.

In line with this, employees wishing to work on site need to show their super green pass to enter. Unvaccinated people who attempt to enter can face fines between €600 ($680) and €1,500 ($1,700) – with repeat offenses meriting double the amount of penalties. Employers who refuse to enforce the vaccine passport mandates can also face fines between €400 ($453) and €1,000 ($1,133).

According to the New American, Italian workers aged 50 and older were initially given the option to show a negative COVID-19 test back in September 2021. The new mandate nullified this option for older workers. Only those with confirmed medical exemptions and those who recently recovered from the mandate are permitted to enter without the need to show a super green pass.

The Italian government’s sentiment against unvaccinated persons appeared to have bled through the population. One Italian woman who has not received the vaccine said new social norms targeting the unvaccinated have emerged over the past few months. Fifty-five-year-old Patrizia Bianco lamented: “People won’t say hello to me anymore on the street. If I take a step toward them, they take a step back. It’s sad.” (Related: Italy’s expanded COVID-19 vaccine mandate BANS unvaccinated people from work and public life.)

Italy committing medical fascism against its unvaccinated older population

Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza doubled down on the vaccine mandate for those aged 50 and older. “We must still insist on vaccination. The more we dry out the unvaccinated areas, the safer the country is,” he told Italian media outlets. Speranza also defended making the COVID-19 vaccine compulsory for older Italians, saying the move “is a correct decision that puts us in a position to look to the coming months with greater confidence.”

Back in January, Speranza defended the mandate as necessary during cabinet meetings that month. He claimed that the Italian government took the decision “to reduce hospitalizations” from COVID-19. According to the health minister, two-thirds of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals were unvaccinated.

Italy’s vaccine mandate for older individuals is similar to that of Greece. In January, the Greek government made vaccination compulsory for citizens 60 years old and above from Jan. 17 onward. Older Greeks who insist on turning down the shot will be fined €50 ($56) on the first month and €100 ($113) on the succeeding months.

Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris said the country’s tax service will take care of collecting the penalties, which will then be directed to state-run hospitals. “The age factor is important because of its impact on the public health service,” he said on Jan. 16.

Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said those with valid health concerns that prevent them from getting vaccinated are exempt from the mandate. He continued that those who had delayed home vaccination appointments and those who recently recovered from a bout with COVID-19 are likewise exempted.