New restrictions targeting the unvaccinated came into force in Italy on Monday, where a negative COVID-19 test no longer grants access to bars, restaurants, and domestic public transport. Prime Minister Mario Draghi was scheduled to speak to the nation alongside health minister Roberto Speranza and education minister Patrizio Bianchi. People who recently recovered from COVID-19 are exempted from the new rule, which will be in force until March 31. The latest restriction comes into force as many Italians returned to work and school following the end-of-year festive period and as COVID-19 infections are soaring past 100,000 per day. More than 1,000 municipalities have decided to keep schools closed on their territory, according to media reports. School headmasters and doctors' unions had urged the government to delay the return to school by at least another 15 days. School districts have complained they don't have enough teachers to reopen, since so many are positive or in quarantine. National railway company Trenitalia said on Monday it had canceled 180 regional trains due to staff shortages caused by COVID-19 infections. More than 86 percent of the over-12s have been vaccinated and some 15 percent of children aged five to eleven have received their first vaccine. Italians have by and large supported the restrictions, which in recent months have also included outdoor mask mandates and a standard health pass to get into workplaces. Many welcomed the new restrictions, which were being enforced Monday by police fanning out at train stations to check passengers' vaccine status and make sure they were wearing the more protective FFP2 face masks, which were required on public transport as of Monday. "I'm happy that they are controlling everywhere," said Carola Pasqualotto, a member of the Imperi sport center where the front desk was checking members' vaccination status. "I am in favor of mandatory vaccines for all." The government announced last week that vaccination for people over the age of 50 would be mandatory from Feb. 15. Non-compliance with the mandate will result in a €100 fine. Italy was the first European country to be hit by the coronavirus at the beginning of 2020 and has one of the highest death tolls, with almost 140,000 deaths. — Euronews
