European Union lawmakers agreed to have a unified COVID digital certificate for the region. With this, it will facilitate easy verification of COVID vaccination status, test results, and even a person’s recovery status. It is going to be called “green certificates” by the European Commission. This will also serve as an EU travel pass that would give the holder restriction-free travel within the EU.
According to Jeroen Lanaers, an MEP from the European People’s Party Bloc, “In a couple of weeks, we will have a unified European digital COVID certificate, which will be recognized all over the EU”. The goal is to simplify cross-border traveling for all members of the EU. He added that “It is a major success that we have prevented contradictory national procedures and certificates”.
Among the first EU countries to test the EU travel pass are France, Malta, and the Netherlands. Using this pilot run, this will ensure that the digital authentication keys will work without any problem. Also, the pilot run will ensure that the digital certificates will work in different countries.
What Caused The Delay?
Negotiations between the Parliament and states made EU travel pass approval complicated. While the Parliament wants to make it easier for everyone to travel, the national governments, on the other hand, want to preserve national competencies. Also, border security is an issue since border controls are considered national responsibility. Some countries are hesitant to give up some form of control. Then, you also have concerns regarding the number of EU citizens that have been vaccinated.
Opening Summer Travel by July
EU is looking to open its borders by July. Along with countries considered “relatively safe”, the EU also welcomes vaccinated Americans to travel to the region. Recently, the EU amended its entry ban to accommodate more countries. Countries with 75 new COVID 19 cases per 100,000 population can enter the EU for leisure travel. However, the country must maintain this number for at least two weeks.
For non-EU travelers, the EU plans to treat vaccination certificates from other countries equivalent to its digital green certificate.
