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- A 22-year-old Italian man got the QR code proving his vaccination status tattooed to his arm.
- In TikTok videos, the tattoo works to allow him to sit inside at McDonald's.
- Italy is one of several countries requiring passes for entry into some indoor venues.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Andrea Colonnetta may never again have to worry about remembering his green pass, the proof-of-vaccination card required in Italy to enter most indoor venues.
The 22-year-old Italian student got the QR code associated with the pass tattooed on his left bicep, telling the Corriere della Calabria newspaper "it's certainly something original – I like to be different."
Colonnetta's inking went viral after he appeared in TikTok videos. In one vide, a friend scans Colonnetta's tattoo with a phone, successfully bringing up his proof of vaccination. In another, he uses his tattoo to receive indoor service at McDonald's.
Earlier in August, Italy's prime minister announced the green pass system, which residents need to get into coffee shops, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, and gyms. In September, it will also be required for some transit and schools.
Other European countries have similar systems, with France recently announcing a "health passport" program in which people can share a QR code or certificate to prove vaccination, recent recovery from the virus, or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test. Vaccinated Israeli residents have been using green passes since February.
The systems have led to increased vaccination rates, but they're not without controversy.
For anyone inspired by Colonnetta, keep in mind that QR code tattoos can be tricky. They need to be big enough to allow space between the black squares and should be placed on a flat area, according to Canadian tattoo studio Adrenaline. The artist also has to calculate how the design may shift once the tattoo heals.
The design can be transferred to the skin and tested before a tattoo artist begins applying ink.