The Holy See extends Covid measures until the end of April

Health and safety measures are to remain in force at the Vatican until April 30. However, the "Super Green Pass" will no longer be mandatory.

The smallest country in the world has extended the application of its main health and safety measures until April 30, 2022, by order of the Governorate of Vatican City. However, the “Super Green Pass” is no longer mandatory, except for people in contact with the public, security personnel and medical services.

The health pass also remains mandatory for Swiss Guards, persons using Vatican catering services and participants in conferences, seminars and similar events held in the Vatican. For the latter, the use of rooms at 100% capacity is now permitted if there is adequate ventilation.

Unusually, these measures, adopted on March 30, were published in the Osservatore Romano and communicated to the public only ten days before their expiration on April 30. The order was accompanied by a decree signed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, signed for the April 20, 2022.

The decree explains that the continuation of the pandemic situation justifies “specific extraordinary and exceptional measures to counter it and to ensure the security of the course of activities” in the Vatican. In practical terms, this decree extends the measures of the March 30 order to all bodies and entities linked to the Holy See.