EU One Step Closer to the Creation of COVID-19 Vaccine Certificates
The Commission of the European Union has today brought forward its proposal for the creation of a Digital Green Certificate in order to make it possible for vaccinated persons to travel without restrictions in a bid to restore travel amid COVID-19.
The proposal for the establishment of the vaccine certificates, which some European countries are already issuing on their own, among others, notes that the certificate should be free of charge for all vaccinated persons, in digital or paper format. It also explains that the Commission is set to create a gateway in order to make sure that the certificates and be verified throughout all EU Member States.
“Member States remain responsible to decide which public health restrictions can be waived for travellers but will have to apply for such waivers in the same way to travellers holding a Digital Green Certificate,” the Commission notes in a press release announcing the proposal.
The same press release also points out that the certificates will include a QR code for security purposes.
They will be issued to prove three different types of COVID-19 situations
- To prove the holder has been vaccinated
- Test results (NAAT/RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test)
- To prove the holder has recovered from COVID-19
A year ago, AtoZSerwisPlus.pl reported on the possibility that the European Union could impose such a requirement on travellers, and in particular visa applicants, which information had been confirmed by an EU official.
Commenting on the proposal, the EU Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova, said that the certificate is an EU-wide solution to restore the freedom of movement within the block, a year after the same closed its borders.
“Our key objectives are to offer an easy to use, non-discriminatory and secure tool that fully respects data protection. And we continue working towards international convergence with other partners,” she said.
The EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, also welcomed the proposal asserting that the Commission is in this way offering a European approach in order to make sure EU citizens can travel safely this summer, with as little restrictions as possible.
“The Digital Green Certificate will not be a pre-condition to free movement and it will not discriminate in any way. A common EU-approach will not only help us to gradually restore free movement within the EU and avoid fragmentation,” he pointed out while noting that the scheme is a chance to influence global standards and lead by example.
Through the proposal, the Commission intends to avoid the discrimination of non-vaccinated persons by issuing such certificates to those who have recovered from COVID-19 and those who test.
It, however, grants the Member States the right to impose restrictions even those holding such certificates, while at the same time obliging them to inform the Commission beforehand.
The certificates will include information such as name, date of birth, date of issuance, relevant information about vaccine/test/recovery and a unique identifier of the certificate. They will be valid in all EU Member States and open for Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway as well as Switzerland, and can be issued to EU citizens and their family members, regardless of their nationality.