European Union institutions reached a political agreement on Monday. expand the regulations on covid certificate digitalbloc countries will allow its use if they decide by 30 June 2023.
“Deal!” announced. “It will make it easier to travel within the EU once Member States decide to use the certificate.”
The vaccination passport was created in June 2021 to encourage travel in the European Union and to stimulate a tourism sector particularly affected by the pandemic, but a year later and most Europeans have practically received a booster dose. all countries lifted health restrictions.
At the moment, France, Portugal and Finland are the only three EU countries that do not officially do so. and therefore travelers must continue to show the so-called certificate to show that they have received the full schedule of the vaccine, have antibodies that they have cleared the disease, or have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.
Deal reached this Monday does not mean that the restrictions will be re-enforced and that it is once again mandatory to travel with the document, instead it gives the health authorities the opportunity to request the document for one more year if they deem it appropriate.
“Unfortunately, the covid virus is still present in Europe and therefore we want to guarantee the free movement of citizens by expanding the application of certificates should it be necessary to travel in the EU,” said PSOE MEP Juan. Fernando López Aguilar, chairing the negotiations with Member States on behalf of the European Parliament.
This is an explanation The socialist MEP explained that this extension contains an assessment of the measure. European Commission In December of this year, on the need to continue the use of the certificate, in particular on freedom of movement and its impact on fundamental rights.
In the event that this report, taking into account the contributions of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Committee for Health Security, concludes that the epidemiological situation no longer requires the use of certificates, the Community Executive is to submit a bill to repeal it.