The Italian government has lifted fines imposed on those who refused mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, a move that follows criticism over the previous administration's pandemic response and the ongoing challenge of curbing the virus's spread in the country.
The Italian government has abolished fines for those who refused to get mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, a move announced in a statement late on Monday. These fines were initially introduced as a measure to boost vaccination rates amid the country's ongoing struggle to curb the pandemic.
Italy has been severely impacted by COVID-19 since the virus was first detected in early 2020, with the country recording over 190,000 deaths according to World Health Organization figures. During his time in office between 2021 and 2022, former Prime Minister Mario Draghi made vaccinations mandatory for teachers and health workers, and later extended the mandate to everyone over the age of 50.
Non-compliance with the mandate led to suspension from work without pay for public sector employees, and individuals aged over 50 faced fines of 100 euros ($105). However, the Italian cabinet's latest statement confirmed that these fines were now being scrapped, and that all obligations to pay had been abolished. There were discussions in the media about potential reimbursements for those who had paid, but this was not included in the statement.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office in late 2022 at the head of a right-wing coalition, had previously criticized her predecessors, Draghi and Giuseppe Conte, for what she saw as an overly ideological approach to handling COVID-19. She promised a different approach and had pledged to handle the pandemic with less strict measures.
The decision to remove the fines drew significant backlash from opposition parties. Riccardo Magi, a lawmaker from the small +Europa party, described it as a move that could be seen as tacit support for vaccine skeptics and deniers, stating, "Abolishing fines for those who refused vaccination is like giving a nod to anti-vaxxers."
This policy change reflects the Meloni government's broader shift in approach to the pandemic, focusing on less punitive measures as Italy continues to deal with the health and economic fallout from the crisis.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local offi...
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac....
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according t...
The United States has warned other countries that recognising a Palestinian state could lead to greater complications, U.S. Secretary of State Marco R...
Three young sisters drowned when the rubber boat carrying them and dozens of other migrants got into difficulties on the perilous central Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy, a German sea rescue charity RESQSHIP said on Sunday.
Thousands of people marched in Messina, Sicily, on Saturday (9 August) protesting against a government plan to build the world’s longest suspension bridge connecting the Italian mainland to Sicily.
Italy’s government gave final approval on Wednesday for the construction of a long-planned suspension bridge linking Sicily to the mainland, a project touted as the world’s longest single-span bridge despite decades of environmental, financial and logistical concerns.
Leaders of Türkiye, Italy and Libya met in Istanbul on Friday, pledging deeper cooperation on energy, migration and regional stability.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Thailand’s royal authority has blocked a move by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to dissolve parliament and call snap elections, citing legal concerns over his authority to submit such a request, local media reported on Wednesday.
More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local officials warn that many people remain trapped under rubble, and the number of fatalities is likely to climb further.
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according to a notice released by the Trump administration on Thursday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment