EU Proposes Covid-19 ‘Digital Certificates’ To Allow Travel

The European Union is proposing to produce vaccine certificates aimed at facilitating travel freely across the 27-nation bloc by the summer.

The proposal which presented Wednesday by the Union’s executive body and comes as several countries which rely on Tourism for revenue are eagerly expecting the return of visitors amid the covid-19 pandemic.

The commission is proposing that the “Digital Green Certificates”, to be issued free of charge would be given to EU residents who can prove they have been vaccinated, or have tested negative for the virus or are able to prove that they recovered from it.

The proposal is due to be discussed next week during a meeting of EU leaders, although the debate has so far proved to be divisive. But if agreed by the EU leaders, the proposal will need to be approved by EU lawmakers to enter into force.

Countries like Greece and Spain have been pushing for the quick introduction of the measure, which according to proponents of the plan will avoid quarantines and testing requirements.

However, several other member-states including France argue the introduction of such passes would be hasty and discriminatory at the moment since many EU citizens have not had access to the vaccines yet.

Meanwhile the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, less than 5% of European citizens have received the covid-19 vaccines.

However European Commission has expressed confidence it will be able to achieve its 70% goal of vaccinating the blocs adult population by summer end.

Already Europe’s aviation sector is urging EU governments to ensure the certificates are operational in time for the peak of the summer travel season.