The European Commission has outlined details for a Digital Green Certificate system to plan for the reopening of travel across member countries.
The Certificate aims to serve as proof of vaccination, testing and recovery in order to waive restrictions to free movement put in place in a member state on public health grounds, such as testing or quarantine requirements. All EU citizens and their family members as well as non-EU nationals staying or residing in the Member States would be eligible to receive them free of charge.
A Commission statement highlighted that the system is meant to facilitate freedom of movement by avoiding the uncoordinated and hasty reintroduction of internal border controls experienced during the first stages of the pandemic. The system could also apply to inbound travel from third countries, which is currently restricted to essential travel, except for a limited number of countries.
The idea of a vaccine passport has been proposed by various European countries including Greece. An EU-wide system would facilitate the recovery of travel while avoiding the negotiation of bilateral travel corridors between countries.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) welcomed the proposal and called it “a major step towards the recovery of Travel & Tourism in the region”. She added “The proposed Digital Green Certificate, along with enhanced health and hygiene measures and mandatory mask wearing, will provide the reassurance consumers need to book their trips and ensure the return of safe international travel.”