Super pass on ferries, the smaller islands protest: "Dramatic situation, risk of kidnapping"

Carloforte and La Maddalena in Sardinia. But also Aeolian in Sicily, Ischia in Campania, Elba in Tuscany. Realities united by the sea and by the fact that they are minor islands. And the difficulties imposed by the new anti-Covid measures, which with the mandatory "super pass" on ferries risk excessively penalizing freedom of movement.

The one-month exemption for students and sick people is not enough. This is why the inhabitants went down to the ports to demonstrate, united by the slogan "Isolani yes, never isolated. Give us back our way".

The protest, including banners and walks along the piers and docks, unites 6 committees. Objective: to ask for a derogation from the law decree which now provides for the use of the reinforced green pass on ferries.

It is not a no vax mobilization, the organizers specify. But a "sos for not being confined".

"We have achieved something - explains the mayor of Carloforte, Salvatore Puggioni - as the administration we were the first to raise this problem. But it is not enough: to move on the mainland there are alternative ways to move. To reach the mother island we cannot avoid the ferry and go swimming ".

The proposal, therefore, is to use only the simple Green pass. The president of the local committee Riziero Moretti asks the shipping company to let passengers into the ferries: "Everyone can get on the trains - he explained - I don't see why not on the ferries. Once on board then there can be checks that provide for a fine . But please, allow everyone to join or see loved ones on the other side of the sea. "

Only on 4 of the 87 smaller islands - the committees explain - inhabited there are hospitals. "The situation is dramatic, kidnapping is looming for those who cannot show the pass because it has expired, have only taken the first dose and 15 days have not passed, do not want or cannot get vaccinated".

Those who protest underline cases of necessity for reasons of health, work, study, family reunification. "In Lipari there are cancer patients who can no longer be treated, in Carloforte mothers who can no longer see their children, in Elba those who cannot assist their elderly parents who have remained on the mainland".

(Unioneonline / vl)