Covid-19 health passes will be mandatory for all workers in Italy from Friday, a measure that some politicians, unions and businesses fear will cause shortages and disruptions rather than boost inoculations and output as the government hopes.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet approved the rule — one of the world’s strictest anti-Covid measures — in mid-September, making it obligatory from October 15 for all workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from the infection.

The rightist League and Brothers of Italy parties and some unions say that, to address the risk of staff shortages, the validity of Covid tests should be extended from 48 to 72 hours, and they should be free for unvaccinated workers.

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