Protests Erupt as Italy Becomes First Nation to Mandate Vaccine Pass for All Workers

ROME — Italy’s universal vaccine mandate for workers went into effect Friday, triggering countrywide strikes and protest rallies.

In the northern city of Trieste, for example, over 5,000 protesters flooded the port and rejected offers of free coronavirus tests while in Genoa the ferry terminal as well as the international airport terminal have been blocked by large anti-Green Pass manifestations.

Along with strikes, employers are reporting unusually high numbers of workers calling in sick, Italian media report. Some 80 percent of Italians have received the vaccine, along with the four and a half million who have been infected with coronavirus and recovered.

Many of Rome’s major piazzas became the scene for similar demonstrations Friday as citizens showed up in droves to make known their displeasure for what many believe to be an exaggerated hardline approach to the coronavirus.