Italy is “ready to welcome back the world”, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Tuesday as he confirmed a ‘green pass’ for international travel will be launched in mid-May. “From the second half of June the European Green Pass will be ready,” Draghi announced at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon following a meeting between G20 tourism ministers.

“In the meantime, the Italian government will introduce a national green pass, which will come into force starting in the second half of May”. While details of how the pass will work are not yet clear, it is likely to require proof of full vaccination or a recent negative Covid test. It is not known if either the Italian or European pass will be extended to allow arrivals from outside of the EU and Schengen travel zone.