Italy extends face mask mandate indoors, workplace ruled exception

Wearing a face mask in Italy will remain mandatory in schools, public transportation and indoor events but will only be “strongly recommended” in all workplaces as of 1 May.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced an ordinance to be signed on Thursday evening, confirming the amendment approved by the Parliament earlier.

As of 31 March, the COVID-19 state of emergency ended in Italy. According to the roadmap drawn up by the government, the obligation to wear a mask indoors should also have fallen after 1 May.

Although across the EU, countries are removing mandatory masks indoors and in schools, Italy remains cautious.

Masks will be still required until 15 June in schools, on all local and long-distance public transport, indoor events and shows, including cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports halls. In hospitals and care centres, wearing a face mask will be compulsory until the end of 2022.

Rome lifted the mask requirement only in the workplace. Companies will be free to decide whether their employees will have to wear it at work or not.

The decision came as infections are on the rise again. The Gimbe observatory, on Thursday, reported that cases of COVID-19 went up by 22.7% in the last seven days.

Meanwhile, the Green Pass, the license which regulates access to certain activities, will no longer be compulsory as of 1 May, except for hospitals and care centres, where it will be mandatory until the end of the year.