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(CNN) -
Italy's government approved a decree that requires all public and private sector workers to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the infection, Italian Health Minister Roberto reported on Thursday. Speranza, at a press conference.
The rule, decided at a cabinet meeting and aimed at persuading more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, will go into effect on October 15.
"This is to make these [workplaces] safer and further strengthen the vaccination campaign," Speranza said.
He called the decree "a strategy that points to the vaccine as a fundamental key to opening a new season."
About 75% of the Italian population has been fully vaccinated today, according to government figures.
The move makes Italy, once the epicenter of COVID-19 in Europe, the first country in Europe to introduce such a strong rule.
Italy had already ordered that health workers be vaccinated.
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From August 6, a "certificazione verde" or green pass is needed to enter cultural sites such as museums or galleries, entertainment and sports venues, theme parks, spas and to eat indoors.
This was expanded to include domestic flights, train travel between regions, and ocean travel on September 1.
The pass shows that the holder has been vaccinated, has tested negative in the last 48 hours or has recovered from the virus in the last six months.
Speranza indicated that COVID-19 tests will be easier to acquire, with more pharmacies capable of testing for antigens.
However, he noted that the tests will only be free for people who are medically exempt from vaccination, meaning that those who refuse to be vaccinated for other reasons will have to pay to get tested and will ultimately pay to get your 'green pass' to go to work.
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He anticipates fears of a possible increase in covid-19 infections this winter.
Italy is currently in a state of emergency due to the pandemic.
Although the country has emerged from third wave restrictions, case numbers are being studied and individual regions could bring restrictions at any time.
Italy has the second highest death toll in Europe (after the UK), according to the John Hopkins University data map, surpassing the 100,000 death milestone on March 8.
Currently, Italian regions are ranked by their infection and hospitalization rates, from white (lowest risk) through yellow and amber to red (highest risk).