There is no FFP2 requirement for museums. Super green pass needed, however

The holiday decree law was published in the Official Gazette on Dec. 24, introducing the new restrictions devised by the government to try to curb the Omicron variant of the Sars-Cov-2 virus and thus attempt to limit Covid-19 contagion. Contrary to what Health Minister Roberto Speranza had announced during a Dec. 23 press conference, there is no requirement for museums and exhibitions to wear FFP2 masks.

“Masks,” Speranza had said, “will be mandatory even outdoors and we foresee a provision in which there will be an obligation to wear an FFP2 mask, so the most protective type of mask, for certain areas that are long-distance transportation, local public transportation, theaters, cinemas, museums, indoor sporting events and stadiums.” In fact, museums are not mentioned in the text of the decree. In fact, in Article 4, “Respiratory protective devices,” is introduced, in addition to the obligation of outdoor masks until January 31, 2022 (beware, however: it is mandatory to have the mask with you, but as per the dpcm of March 2, 2021, to which the holiday decree refers, “there is no obligation to wear the respiratory protective device when, due to the characteristics of the places or the factual circumstances, isolation from non-cohabiting persons is continuously guaranteed”), also the obligation of FFP2 for some activities, which, however, do not include museums: “From the date of entry into force of this decree until the termination of the state of epidemiological emergency from COVID-19,” the text of the decree law reads, “for performances open to the public that take place indoors or outdoors in theaters, concert halls, movie theaters, entertainment and live music venues and other assimilated venues, as well as for sports events and competitions taking place indoors or outdoors, FFP2-type respiratory protective equipment must be worn. In the aforementioned places, other than catering services carried out by any establishment, and for the same period of time mentioned in the first sentence, the consumption of food and beverages indoors is prohibited.” So, unless you want to very imaginatively “equate” museums with entertainment venues, there will be no need for an FFP2 mask to see works of art. Instead, it will be mandatory to go to the movies, the theater, or to see a concert. Mandatory FFP2 also on means of transportation.

To visit a museum will instead need a super green pass, and the same certificate will also be needed to see an exhibition, to enter a library, to go to the archives. The decree in fact clears up once and for all the confusion that had been generated by the Nov. 26 decree-law (from the text it seemed that the super green pass for culture was already in effect, but the Ministry of Culture had then intervened to say that only the regular green pass was sufficient). This can be read in Article 8 of the holiday decree, “use of Covid-19 green certifications”: from January 10, 2022 until the end of the state of emergency, “access to services and activities, referred to in Article 9-bis, paragraph 1, letters c), d), f), g), h), of Decree-Law No. 22 April 2021, no. 52, converted, with amendments, by Law No. 87 of June 17, 2021, is allowed exclusively to entities that hold COVID-19 green certifications, referred to in Article 9, paragraph 2, letters a), b) and c-bis) of Decree-Law No. 52 of 2021, as well as entities referred to in Article 9-bis, paragraph 3, first sentence, of Decree-Law No. 52 of 2021.”

Translating the normative references, letter “c” of paragraph 1, Article 9-bis, of Decree-Law No. 52 of April 22, 2021, includes “museums, other institutes and places of culture and exhibitions” (the “other institutes and places of culture,” under the Cultural Heritage Code, are libraries, archives, archaeological areas and parks, monumental complexes). Added to these are swimming pools, gyms and wellness centers (d), spas (f), cultural centers, social centers, recreation centers (g), gambling halls, betting halls, bingo halls and casinos (h). All these activities will require the super green pass held by individuals identified by letters a, b and c-bis of paragraph 2, article 9 of dl April 22, 2021, namely vaccinated (a), cured (b) and cured after vaccination (c-bis).

There is no FFP2 requirement for museums. Super green pass needed, however

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