The European Union’s (EU) Covid-19 passport scheme will be up and running from July 1, European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said.
The announcement on Friday came a day after negotiators from EU member states, the European Parliament, and the European Commission agreed on the regulations that will govern this Covid-19 travel document, Xinhua news agency reported.
The freshly struck deal on the scheme will allow travel in summer, Reynders said at a press conference here, adding that this was “good news for all European citizens”.
“All member states must get fully ready during the month of June, so they can hit the ground running,” Reynders said.
He added that the European Commission was offering technical support and up to a million euros per state to help.
There will be a six-week transition period for member states that need more time.
The scheme will allow EU citizens to travel more freely within the EU in total health safety and will support economic sectors dependent on free movement, Reynders told journalists.
Three types of certificates will be available free of charge, in paper or digital format: one attesting vaccination with an EU-approved shot; a second showing negative test results, and the third for people who have recovered after having been infected with Covid-19.
Regarding the cost of the required tests, Reynders said the Commission will also mobilize an additional 100 million euros to support member states in providing affordable tests.
The regulation underlines that member states shall refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on the holders of an EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health.
“It is in all of our interests to make this work. Citizens will be able to travel safely. Businesses will be able to benefit from their spending, and transport will be able to operate,” Reynders said.
As Europe prepares to welcome tourists this summer, the Greek government has unveiled the EU’s first COVID passport. After a successful test run, the passport is expected to be in use by 1 July and will be a “fast lane to facilitate travel”, according to the country’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
How does Europe’s COVID passport work?
Hospitals, test centres, and health authorities will issue digital or paper certificates providing proof of full vaccination, a negative PCR test, and the history of a traveller who has had the virus. The document will have a QR code that can be stored on a device to be scanned by border guards.
Will this apply only to EU countries?
Although the government has yet to provide details, the EU system has plans to tie up with other countries, such as the US and UK. If the UK government does not launch a passport, fully vaccinated British citizens will be issued with the EU’s certification in their destination country on providing the appropriate paperwork from home.
Greece is currently allowing tourists from the UK to visit. Travellers can enter with the proof of a negative RT-PCR test undertaken within 72 hours and proof of two vaccinations completed at least 14 days before travel. The visitor will not be expected to quarantine.
Does the passport eliminate the need for quarantine?
Yes. Every EU citizen or third-country national legally staying or residing in the countries that fall in the region and holds the certificate should be exempted from free movement restrictions, according to reports.
If an EU country continues to require those with a certificate to quarantine or test, it must notify the European Commission and all 26 member states to justify this decision.
Besides Greece, Estonia and Ireland will be one of the first countries to start issuing the EU digital passport.
Ireland adopts COVID passport to allow EU, UK and U.S. travel from July 19
