A student in Italy has become an unexpected TikTok sensation after tattooing the barcode of his Covid certificate on his arm.
Andrea Colonnetta, 22, said he hadn’t given much thought in advance before getting his latest tattoo, but decided on the topical — and practical — choice after talking with tattoo artist Gabriele Pellerone.
The underside of Colonnetta’s left arm now bears a matrix of black squares from the QR code of his official Italian green pass.
He said he had received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
The pass gives proof of coronavirus status — that you are vaccinated, have recovered from the virus, or tested negative in the last 48 hours.
It has been required in Italy since August 6 to get into cinemas, museums and indoor sports venues or to eat indoors at restaurants.
Colonnetta, from the southern city of Reggio Calabria, told Corriere della Calabria newspaper: “It’s certainly something original, I like to be different.”
Although, he has received lots of attention on Instagram and TikTok, his parents were baffled.
But he said his genius ink was down to them.