An Italian anti-vaxxer yesterday tried to dodge getting the Covid-19 vaccine by wearing a fake arm.
The 50-year-old was rumbled by doctors at a clinic in Biella, northern Italy and now faces fraud charges after being reported to local police.
Medics' suspicions were raised when they realised the texture of his silicone arm did not match a normal limb, described as a theatre prop, despite the realistic skin colour.
Local media reported the man tried to persuade the doctor to inject a dose of the vaccine into the silicone arm even after they realised it was fake.
And in another twist, the man may have posted on Twitter to ask his followers if he would get away with wearing a silicone male chest half-body suit, including fake arms and neck, for the appointment.
The user also posted images in a tweet, which was later deleted, of the suit which is listed on Amazon for 488 euros (£416).
It is thought the man was trying to fool doctors into giving him a Green Pass - a certificate that proves the holder has been vaccinated, tested negative or recently recovered from Covid.
Since August, the pass has been required for indoor dining in restaurants, to visit museums, cinemas, theatres and attend sporting events.
The fake arm incident also comes ahead of a tightening of the rules from Monday in Italy for people who have not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19.
A 50-year-old Italian anti-vaxxer (not pictured) yesterday tried to dodge getting the Covid-19 vaccine by wearing a fake arm to a clinic in Biella, northern Italy
The user posted images in a tweet, which was later deleted, of the suit which is listed on Amazon for 371 euros
The man may have posted on Twitter to ask his followers if he would get away with wearing a silicone male chest half-body suit, (pictured) including fake arms and neck, for the jab
Medics' suspicions were raised when they realised the texture of his silicone arm did not match a normal limb, described as a theatre prop, despite the realistic skin colour
Filippa Bua, the nurse who treated the man, said she was 'incredulous' at the brazen attempt to dodge the vaccine.
She said nurses at the site had been dealing with angry residents who do not want to get vaccinated but feel they have to for weeks.
She told Corriere: 'My colleagues and I try to lower the level of tension by not giving our side to any provocation.
'But I'm really tired and just as sorry, to see all these people who do not understand how much the vaccine is essential to protect their health, and their loved ones.'
La Republica reported a man in the same area had posted images of an Amazon silicone body suit with the message: 'If I go with this, will they notice?
'Maybe beneath the silicone I'll even put on some extra clothes to avoid the needle reaching my real arm.'
The head of the Piedmont regional government, Albert Cirio, said in a statement on Facebook: 'The case borders on the ridiculous, if it were not for the fact we are talking about a gesture of enormous gravity.'
He said such an act was 'unacceptable faced with the sacrifice that our entire community has paid during the pandemic, in terms of human lives, the social and economic cost.'
Filippa Bua, the nurse who treated the man, (pictured) told Italian outlet Corriere she was 'incredulous' at the brazen attempt to dodge the vaccine
From Monday, formerly Green Pass events will be restricted to holders of a 'Super Green Pass', which is only available to those who have been vaccinated or recently had Covid-19.
The old Green Pass was extended in October to cover all workplaces, and remains valid for this purpose, meaning the unvaccinated can still go to work by showing a recent negative test.
The new restrictions - the subject of small protests in city centres across Italy on most weekends - were introduced following an increase in Covid-19 cases, exacerbated in recent days by fears over the new variant Omicron.
Italy was the first European country to be hit by the pandemic in early 2020, but is currently faring better than many of its neighbours.
On Thursday, 16,800 new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours, with 72 deaths.
There are so-far no plans to introduce mandatory vaccines, with Italy having a higher-than average coverage of around 72 per cent of its population - above the theoretical level of 70 per cent required for herd immunity.
Italy's health chiefs have said the country is 'well prepared' for the winter wave after a successful vaccine drive, though boosters will be offered in due course as well as vaccines for children aged 5-11.
Green Pass restrictions have sparked mass protests in city centres across Italy on most weekends (pictured, demonstrators in Turin)
The old Green Pass was extended in October to cover all workplaces, and remains valid for this purpose, meaning the unvaccinated can still go to work by showing a recent negative test
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