Vaccine passports: Dr Amir Khan on 'government U-turn'
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Turin’s Piazza Castello was packed with critics of the move on what was dubbed “No Fear Day”, where organisers urged protesters to “show everyone what free men stand for”. Yesterday saw Italy follow in the footsteps of France by announcing that proof of vaccination or immunity would shortly be required for an array of activities.
Italians reacted angrily to the warning that they soon would not be allowed to dine indoors at restaurants, work out at the gym or visit a swimming pool, cinema or museum without a “Green Pass”.
Addressing the crowds gathered in Turin last night, a speaker said: “Officially we are 2,000 people, so we must be at least twice that number.
“Let’s show everyone what free men stand for.”
People responded to his call enthusiastically by chanting “freedom”.
Ugo Mattei, a law professor and candidate for mayor in the Piedmontese capital, was among those who addressed demonstrators.
The event was organised by Marco Liccione, 31, who has organised other events against the government’s restrictions.
Youngsters who attended the rally said they are not against vaccines, but do not want to see jabs made mandatory.
Several admitted they have already been inoculated against Covid.
One person said: “Everyone must be free to choose.”
From the stage, lawyer Maurizio Giordano argued that a Green Pass would lead to a “police state” and a “dictatorship” in Italy.
He warned: “And we are getting there very fast.”
He said the proposed new rule “is inconceivable not only from a constitutional point of view and European legislation but also from a human point of view.”
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Mr Giordano urged people to go back to living like they did before the Covid pandemic struck Italy last spring.
He said: “We must behave as before March 2020, as if these rules did not exist.
“These rules must not be respected.”
Meanwhile, Covid cases continue to soar in the Mediterranean country.
Announcing the Green Pass yesterday, Prime Minister Mario Draghi told reporters: “The Delta variant is even more of a threat than the other variants.
“The Green Pass is not arbitrary, but a necessary condition not to shut down the economy.
“Without vaccinations, everything will have to close again.”
Over the past week the daily infections in Italy doubled to hit 5,057 on Thursday.
In neighbouring France, daily cases have rocketed to almost 22,000 from 10,908 on July 16.
Unlike in past Covid waves, deaths and hospitalisations have not progressed in lockstep with rising cases, thanks to mass vaccinations since the start of the year.
But with under 54 percent of adults fully inoculated across the EU, governments fear there will still be tens of thousands more victims unless they speed up vaccinations.
Regional governors in Italy said there was a marked pick-up in bookings after Mr Draghi spoke late on Thursday.
Giovanni Toti, head of the northwestern Liguria region, said: “I think the prime minister has achieved what he wanted to achieve.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.
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