Covid: Vatican, ‘without Green Pass no work and unjustified absences, undue pay’

In the Vatican, from 1 October, those who do not have the Green pass or a certification of negativity to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, issued in Italy following a rapid molecular or antigenic test, will not be able to “access the workplace and must be considered unjustified absentee. For the entire duration of the absence, no salary is due, except for social security and welfare deductions, as well as the allowance for the family unit “. This was established by a general decree of the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, in implementation of the ordinance of the President of the Pontifical Commission of the Vatican City State of last September 18. The decree, in detail, provides “the obligation to possess the certifications indicated in article 1 of the aforementioned Ordinance concerns all personnel (Superiors, Officials and Auxiliaries) of the Dicasteries, Bodies and Offices that make up the Roman Curia and of the Institutions connected with the Holy See, and extends to external collaborators and to those who in any other capacity carry out activities at the same bodies, to the staff of external companies and to all visitors and users “. It should be noted that” without prejudice to the controls delegated to the Gendarmerie , each Entity is required to verify compliance with the requirements, establishing the operating procedures for organizing these checks and identifying the persons in charge of ascertaining and contesting breaches of obligations, on the basis of the provisions of Law No. LIV on protection of the safety and health of workers in the workplace, of 10 December 2007. With regard to the Departments, the competence in this regard lies with the Under-Secretaries “.” Personnel without a green pass – the decree signed by Parolin still reads – can alternatively exhibit a certification of negativity to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, issued in Italy against a rapid molecular or antigenic test, with the frequency indicated by the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. The costs relating to the test are not borne by the Entity. “” Personnel without the necessary certifications – the decree provides – cannot access the workplace and must be considered unjustified absent. For the entire duration of the absence, no salary is due, except for social security and welfare deductions, as well as the allowance for the family unit; the assessment of the elements for any exemption from the obligations of the aforementioned ordinance is delegated to the Secretariat of State (General Affairs Section and, as far as it is concerned, the Holy See’s Diplomatic Staff Section), having obtained the opinion of the Health Department and Hygiene. The Head of the Entity will submit the requests to the Section for General Affairs “. The decree specifies that” any further restrictions that the competent Vatican health authorities deem necessary for persons from countries with a high risk of contagion are reserved. “.