The European Union is set to make available its COVID-19 passport for all EU citizens and residents, as well as for specific categories of travellers from third countries, by July 1.
SchengenVisaInfo says the procedures for the launch of the certificate are completed on the side of the EU Commission, while it now remains up to the Member States to implement it within the next weeks.
The European COVID-19 travel certificate has been created by the European Union in a bid to restore the freedom of travel, which has been put at a halt for over a year now, since the pandemic erupted all over the block. Through the certificate, the Commission intends to remove travel restrictions as entry bans, quarantine obligation, and testing.
The EU Commission has encouraged the Member States to remove the entry restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement since mid-March 2020, for those that hold such a document, starting from July 1, though the members have the option to remove those restrictions earlier, as many already have.
“When travelling, every Digital Green Certificate holder will have the same rights as citizens of the visited Member State who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered,” the EU Commission had explained presenting the certificate.
The Member States are not legally obliged to implement the certificate. However, all of them are already in the process of introducing it. They will still be able to impose restrictions on arrivals from the other EU countries, yet, they must inform the Commission and all rest of the Member States and provide reasons why such measures are being taken.
The EU COVID-19 Passport/Certificate is a one-piece document that can be issued to a traveller in both a paper and digital format.
Depending on the traveller’s status, there are three types of EU’s COVID-19 passport launched: vaccination passport; test certificate; and recovery certificate
Those holding such a document will be able to travel throughout Europe without the need to quarantine or test for COVID-19 (though the Member States may impose such restrictions on particular countries with a higher COVID-19 rate).
Meanwhile, CNN says the European Union has announced the launch of its EU Digital COVID Certificate — set to allow freedom of movement around the bloc.
Already, nine countries are reportedly using the scheme to issue certificates, with more expected to join before the scheme officially launches on July 1.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is reportedly the same as the EU COVID vaccine passport.
According to CNN, EU Commission spokesperson says the EU digital COVID-19 certificate for travel can be opened to non-EU international travelers, including those from the United States, subject to individual member states' acceptance of proof of vaccination, a negative test result or recovery from COVID infection.
However, he cautioned that such a decision would rest with each individual member state. The spokesperson also said the EU Commission was in talks with the United States on a US Covid-19 certificate which EU states could accept as equivalent.
