The European Union has launched the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which will act as a COVID pass for European citizens and residents.
The EU’s goal is to provide a common approach to mobility during the pandemic, as well as to generate efficient, interoperable systems such as the EU Digital COVID Certificate.
Apart from giving advice about wearing face protection mask in public area, EU has launched the EU Digital Covid Certificate
After giving advice of wearing face protection mask in public areas, the idea of having a COVID health passport has created great debate among some EU Member States. However, the European Union leaders have ensured that a reliable, secure, and common solution was delivered in order to restore mobility and freedom of movement as of June 1st, 2021.
Many Member States began issuing the certificate ahead of schedule, seeing it as an opportunity to help their economies, especially in areas such as tourism and international travel.
What is the EU Digital COVID Certificate?
The EU COVID pass is available to use as of July 1st, 2021. As of August 31st, 70% of Europe’s adult population is fully vaccinated.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be used until June 30th, 2022.
On inauguration day, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “A vast majority of EU Member States are already connected to the system and ready to issue and verify the Certificates. More than 200 million certificates have already been generated.”
According to von der Leyen, the development of a vaccine certificate within Europe helps “ensure the functioning of the single market,” as well as enable Europeans to move freely for work or tourism.
The COVID certificate is not a substitute for a travel document. Holders must provide a passport or identity card.
The aim of the EU Digital COVID Certificate is to “facilitate travel, helping to exempt holders from restrictions such as quarantine” according to a European Commission press release.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is compatible with local EU COVID passes, like the French Pass Sanitaire.
“We recommend that all Member States also use this tool for national uses – to go to concerts, festivals, theaters, restaurants… We must avoid confusion and fragmentation” said European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.
A first draft of the EU Green Certificate was presented in March 2021 by the European Commission.
How does the EU Digital COVID Certificate work?
The EU Digital COVID Certificate serves as proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has recently received a negative COVID-19 test, or is protected against the disease after being infected (recovery valid for up to 6 months).
In the words of the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, Europe’s vaccine certificate can “support an orderly and safe reopening of activities.”
What information is on the EU vaccine passport?
The European Union is clear: only strictly necessary information will be shown in the EU COVID certificates. This includes the following:
Traveler’s name
Traveler’s date of birth
Member State that is issuing the certificate
Unique identifier or code of the document
Depending on the proof of immunity presented by visitors
In what formats can I obtain the EU COVID Pass?
The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be available in paper and digital format. Both versions contain a QR code and a digital signature that can be accessed digitally by both its holder and relevant health and travel authorities.
According to the European Commission, “the certificate should be written in the language(s) of the issuing Member State and English” to avoid any sort of discrimination.
Will EU health passes be mandatory to travel?
No. The EU Digital COVID Certificate) will not be mandatory for travel. It will simply help to standardize the method of COVID immunity verification at national borders.
The European Commission has been clear about the EU’s position regarding this issue: the COVID certificates in Europe will not act as a new barrier for international travel, but instead they aim to facilitate and ease freedom of movement.