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.

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       Italian student Andrea Colonnetta discussed his latest inking with tattoo artist Gabriele Pellerone before deciding on something practical and topical Credit: Twitter 2

       Andrea Colonnetta can now scan information about Covid status Credit: Instagram

       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.

       He said: "Certainly they encouraged me to be less impulsive and to better reflect on things."

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       But his new barcode works, he said.

       A video posted on TikTok by Pellerone shows a masked Colonnetta entering McDonald's and lifting his arm to take a photo of his tattoo.

       A security guard at the entrance is seen scanning Colonnetta's photo before the video ends abruptly — leaving it unclear whether Colonnetta ultimately got his Big Mac or not.

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