Italy now obligates every adult over 50-years-old to be vaccinated against COVID-19, The Guardian reported.
The measure was passed unanimously by the Council of Ministers despite divisions between political parties on Wednesday and took immediate effect, The Guardian reported.
The Omicron coronavirus variant put increased pressure on hospitals in Italy, with 189,109 new infections and 231 deaths on Wednesday, The Guardian reported. The country’s total death toll of 138,276 is the highest of any European country, except the U.K. (RELATED: Navy Servicemembers Seeking COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Religious Exemptions Handed Favorable Ruling)
“We are making these choices in order to restrict the unvaccinated as much as possible, as this is what is causing the burden on our hospital system,” Roberto Speranza, the nation’s health minister, told reporters after the cabinet meeting, The Guardian reported. He reportedly emphasized that the unvaccinated accounted for two-thirds of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi attends the Italian presidency press conference on the second day of the Rome G20 Summit, on October 31, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
The ministers also tightened Italy’s workplace vaccination rules, with those 50 and older with jobs in either the public or private sector required to show a health pass proving immunization or previous COVID-19 recovery after Feb. 15, The Guardian reported.
Italian business leaders urged the cabinet to make vaccination mandatory for all workers, fearing that a new wave would slow the economy without increased protection against the virus, The Guardian reported.
“We want to slow the growth of the infection curve and push Italians who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at the start of the cabinet meeting, The Guardian reported. “We are targeting the age groups which are most at risk of hospitalisation in order to reduce pressure on hospitals and save lives. At the same time, we want to keep schools and businesses open.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.