As of August 6th, 2021, all public gatherings, events, and competitions in Italy can only be attended if in possession of “Certificazione Verde” or a Green Pass. The International Medical Admission Test is the entrance exam for all public medical schools in Italy, and thus, falls under the category of a public competition. You can read the official statement (available in Italian only).
What does this mean?
This means that to sit the IMAT 2021 in any test center in Italy, you need to meet the requirements and get your Green Pass issued.
What it doesn’t mean?
This does NOT mean you necessarily need to have completed a full cycle of vaccination, so before you freak out, continue reading to see what alternative ways are there to obtain it.
[Disclaimer] Bare in mind official regulations can be a subject of change, so regularly check for updates from official sources.
What is the Green Pass?
The “Certificazione Verde COVID-19” is a free digital (or a hard copy) COVID certificate, issued only by the Italian Health Ministry to both Italian citizens and foreigners residing in Italy for short or long periods. It contains a bidimensional code (QR code) and a qualified electronic stamp.
Alternative to the Italian Green Pass, you can present an EU Digital COVID Certificate, issued by the health authorities across the EU.
Italy also recognizes COVID passes issued by the UK, the United States, Canada, Israel, and Japan.
What are the requirements to get a Green Pass?
To be eligible for the Green Pass and sit the IMAT on September 9th, you need to fall in one of the following categories:
- to have completed the full vaccination cycle
- to have taken the first vaccination dose at least 15 days ago
- to present a negative PCR or a rapid test done in the last 48 hours
- to have healed from COVID in the last 6 months and have a certificate proving it.
* All European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognized vaccines are valid – Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, and Janssen.
How long will the COVID Certificate be valid?
Depending on your situation, different certificates have various expiry dates:
- If you have completed the vaccination cycle, the certificate will be issued at least 2 days after the second dose and will be valid for 9 months after it.
- If you have only had your first shot, the certificate will be issued 12 days after the first shot and will be valid until the date of the second dose.
- If you got a negative COVID test, the certificate will be ready in a couple of hours and will be valid for 48 hours.
- In case you have healed from COVID, the certificate will have 6 months validity.
Be extra careful in case you obtained the Green Pass by submitting a negative COVID test – you will have to have done the test in the last 48 hours to get the Green Pass issued, and it will only be valid during the following 48 hours. Do the math of the time between your arrival in Italy, the IMAT test, and your departure flight. You may, of course, retake the test 48 hours later when your Certificate expires and thus prolong your stay between flights.
How to apply for a Green Pass in order to sit the IMAT 2021 in Italy?
As mentioned earlier, you can either apply for it once you arrive in Italy or use the green pass from any other EU country. On the official website of the European Union, you can select any EU country to be redirected to the respective health authority (including the Italian) where you can submit your application.
Which other test venues might require a Green Pass?
For the moment, it seems like Italy is the first country to enforce such strong measures, requiring a COVID Certificate for national competitions, as the IMAT. Other countries have also started implementing a Green Pass, but it’s mostly used upon entertaining in leisure events, music festivals, and big sports events.
Among the IMAT test center venues for 2021, the EU countries which already implemented a Green Pass, are Germany, France, and Cyprus. Each country, however, decides what activities do you need the COVID pass for. Sitting an entry test might not be one of them.
If you’re planning to take the IMAT in the UK, for example (Non-Eu), where a COVID pass is implemented since mid-July, you might not need it to sit the IMAT. The NHS states it’s only needed for the following activities:
- crowded indoor settings such as nightclubs and music venues
- large unstructured outdoor events such as business events and festivals
- very large structured events such as business events, music, and spectator sport events
New York is also planning to introduce a COVID Pass, but it’s still unclear what activities will it be used for.
Undoubtedly, you need to check regularly and keep up to date with any changes the national health authorities implement in the country where you are planning to sit the IMAT.
Plan your steps ahead
You’ll also need the Green Pass in Italy for a number of other activities besides sitting the IMAT. You’ll be asked to show your certificate upon entering restaurants, events, museums, even public transport.
We urge you to plan carefully the timing of your vaccination or COVID testing and get familiar with the exact procedure upon entering Italy for issuing the COVID Certificate. You’d also need to check the duration of the validity of your Certificate according to your case (vaccinated, negative, or healed). Especially those of you who plan to take the COVID test, due to the short life span of the certificate, might have to adjust your travel plans or get familiar with the nearest center to get tested in case you need to prolong the Green Pass validity.
I wish you the best of luck and get prepared to be flexible!
(c) Image source: pexels.com
