Italy will require a COVID vaccine pass to enter museums, theaters, and restaurants.

Italian officials have enacted a policy mandating the presentation of a vaccine "green" pass for access to restaurants, museums, gyms, casinos, and even sporting events starting August 6. This decision comes amid a troubling rise in COVID-19 cases linked to the Delta variant.

By restricting access for the unvaccinated, officials aim to enhance the vaccination rate and safeguard the economy as it seeks recovery. Recent figures from Reuters show that 48.2 percent of Italians are fully vaccinated, but the pace of vaccination has recently slowed. Infections surged after celebrations following Italy's win in the Euro 2020 football championship.

In Rome, COVID-19 cases have surged by 500 percent since July 11.

The pass, a variation of the EU's digital COVID certificate, will be implemented on August 6. To obtain this certification, individuals must prove they have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine within the last nine months, show evidence of recovery from COVID in the past six months, or present a negative test result taken within 48 hours prior to application.

"The certification is essential to keep economic activities running and allows people to enjoy entertainment with the confidence of being around non-contagious individuals," stated Italian Premier Mario Draghi.

Without the pass, individuals will be barred from dining indoors at restaurants or cafes, attending local festivals or business conferences, and accessing public pools. Nightclubs in Italy continue to remain closed.

Approximately 40 million people in Italy have already obtained a "green pass," as reported by Health Ministry officials. This certification is also necessary for attending wedding receptions and visiting residents in nursing homes.

Officials plan to reassess the "green" pass in September and will consider making it mandatory for travel within Italy by train, plane, or public transport.

The U.S. State Department and the CDC have designated Italy as a Travel 3 level, which is not the highest level. They recommend reconsidering travel to Italy due to infection risks, or if travel is necessary, ensure you are fully vaccinated. Italy is also on the U.K.'s Amber list for travel, permitting non-essential trips under specific travel and testing guidelines.

Health experts report that the delta variant of the coronavirus is well-established in Italy, yet the country has witnessed a notable decline in virus-related deaths recently. Four months ago, hospitals were recording up to 400 COVID-19 deaths per day, but that number has now fallen to as low as a dozen daily fatalities on some occasions.

This progress is why Italy's Premier continues to urge citizens to get vaccinated.

"The first thing I must say," Draghi emphasized, "is to urge all Italians to get vaccinated without delay."