Italy's covid health passport is now required to dine indoors in restaurants.

Italy rolls out its newly expanded Green Pass rules today, Friday 6 August, in a contentious move designed to curb the rise of covid-19.

The Green Pass, or Certificazione Verde, shows that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19, and does not apply to children under 12.

• Italy Green Pass: what is it and how do I get it?

From today people will be required to show the cert, along with an identification document, for indoor dining in restaurants and bars, as well as for a wide range of cultural and leisure venues, from museums and cinemas to gyms and swimming pools.

The pass, which comes in digital or paper versions, will not be necessary for consuming food or drink at outdoor restaurant tables or drinking a coffee while standing at the bar.

• Italy to require covid Green Pass for restaurants, cinemas and gyms

The Green Pass has already sparked protests across Italy, and is likely to test the patience of businesses and customers, however health minister Roberto Speranza said the measure would "avoid closures and protect freedom."

The certificate was first introduced in June and until now it has been used mainly for travel within the EU and to facilitate access to large events or nursing homes.

Last night the government unveiled plans to expand the scope of the Green Pass further from 1 September, making it mandatory for teachers and school staff, as well as staff and students of universities, when the new academic year begins.

• Italy makes covid Green Pass mandatory for teachers

The government announced yesterday that more than 33 million people - or 62 per cent of Italy's population over the age of 12 - has been fully vaccinated against covid-19.

For full details (in Italian) about the Green Pass see the Certificazione Verde website. There is also a helpline tel. 800912491 (open daily 08.00-20.00) and an email address cittadini@dgc.gov.it.

For official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy - in English - see health ministry website.