EU travel, green passes are getting closer
A plan to revitalize travel in Europe. This is the goal set by EU member states to give a new [...]
A plan for boosting travel in Europe. This is the goal set by EU member states to give a new boost to the economy battered by the Covid-19 crisis. To do this, the EU Commission has unveiled the new Covid pass, a certificate that will enable all European citizens to be able to travel again. It is called "green digital certificate" and will be used to facilitate Safe free movement within the EU during the pandemic.
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The digital green certificate for traveling in Europe
It is for all intents and purposes a vaccination certificate that Should be available free of charge from June in digital or print format. It is a legally binding document for member states. It will admit all vaccines available on the market, but it will also serve to certify that you have tested negative or recovered from Covid-19 and developed antibodies. "With the vaccine certificate, we aim to help member states return to the a safe and coordinated mobility", these are the words of the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The digital green certificate will in effect be proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19, received a negative test result or has recovered from the virus. It will include a QR code to ensure the security and authenticity of the certificate. "The pass is interoperable and binding for EU countries. To avoid any form of discrimination, it offers "three alternatives" to travel again: proving vaccination, negativity to a test or recovery from Covid," said Ursula von der Leyen
The responsibility of member states remains
The European Commission's legislative proposal, which not all governments agree on, will be discussed next week. Also included in the plan is the opening of a window to ensure that certificates can be verified throughout the European Union. Regardless of the introduction of the green pass, member states still remain responsible in deciding on the choice of public health restrictions for travelers you can give up. They will, however, have to apply these exemptions equally to travelers holding a digital green certificate.
Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders stressed that. digital green certificate will not be a prerequisite for free movement. It will also not discriminate in any way. A common European approach will help gradually restore free movement within the EU and avoid market fragmentation. It will also be an opportunity to influence global standards and set a good example based on European values such as data protection.
