COVID-19 emergency status expired on March 31, 2022, causing some restrictions to end, while some other measures have been extended.
No more Green Pass, but health and safety prevention measures are still valid
As of May 1, 2022, only those working in hospitals and nursing homes are required to have a Green Pass to access their workplaces; all other employees no longer need a valid Green Pass to access their workplaces.
However, while this obligation has ceased and emergency status has expired, the need to counter the spread of COVID-19 and contain the pandemic persists. Therefore, among other precautions, employees are still required to wear surgical masks.
Indeed, on May 4, 2022, the Italian government confirmed that the preventive measures provided by the joint protocol of April 6, 2021 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace are still valid, pending further updates.
Simplified smart working and special provisions for certain employees
Pursuant to Law Decree No. 24/2022, the remote working modality in place is still the simplified version.
Through August 31, 2022:
- The smart-working performance must be reported by the employer using the Ministry of Labor IT application;
- No individual written agreement between the parties is necessary;
- Rules concerning employees’ health and safety still apply and a written information notice shall be issued.
As a consequence, as of September 1, 2022, the individual agreement drafted according to law (Law No. 81/2017, as well as the national protocol on remote work dated December 7, 2021) will be mandatory.
Furthermore, the right of high-risk public and private employees to carry out their work remotely is extended through June 30, 2022, provided that remote work is compatible with the characteristics of their duties.
Additionally, the right of private-sector employees who have at least one child under the age of 14 to request to work remotely is extended through July 31, 2022.
Health oversight
The obligation for public and private employers to guarantee safe performance of production and commercial activities by ensuring exceptional health oversight of employees with the highest risk of contagion (due to age, immunosuppression, cancer, and other serious medical issues and related treatments) shall remain in place through July 31, 2022.
