EU to propose vaccine certificates in time for summer holidays

By Sabine Siebold and Philip Blenkinsop

 

FILE PHOTO: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen addresses a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the start of the German Presidency by video conference at the EU Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium July 2, 2020. John Thys/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will propose this month an EU-wide digital certificate providing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination that could allow Europeans to travel more freely over the summer.

 

The EU executive aims to present its plans for a "digital green pass" on March 17 and to cooperate with international organisations to ensure that its system also works beyond the European Union.

 

The pass would provide proof that a person has been vaccinated, the results of tests for those not yet vaccinated and information on recovery for people who have contracted COVID-19.

 

"The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad - for work or tourism," Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet on Monday.

 

The European Commission will propose this month an EU-wide digital certificate providing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination that could allow Europeans to travel more freely over the summer. Emily Wither reports.

 

The Commission wants to establish an EU-wide system to prevent separate deals being hatched between EU countries that would fragment its internal market and to avoid finding itself subject to a system set by a third country or by a tech giant.

 

Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said vaccine deliveries would sharply increase in the coming months.

 

"Vaccine rollouts must follow as well so there are no gaps and no vaccines are left unused," she told a news conference.

 

EU leaders agreed last week to work on vaccine certificates, with southern member states such as Spain and Greece particularly keen to unlock tourism this summer.

 

However, it is not yet clear whether vaccinated people can still transmit the virus to others. Some countries, such as France and Belgium, have also expressed concern that easing travel only for inoculated people would be unfair.

 

The Commission said it wanted to avoid any discrimination.

 

EU countries would be free to set their own criteria for entry, although broadly open borders make this a difficult task.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-02

 

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Sure Dr Yong will be googling reasons of why this cant happen here  ???? 

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

Some countries, such as France and Belgium, have also expressed concern that easing travel only for inoculated people would be unfair.

I am sure accommodations with certain restrictions to protect the public will be made for those who through no fault of their own cannot be vaccinated,and have legitimate reasons.   as to those who refuse to be vaccinated for philosophical or political reasons. If you don't want to make the investment, why would you expect a return? 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

 

The EU executive aims to present its plans for a "digital green pass" on March 17

Will now be known as the “ Paddy Pass “

It's nice to have certificates, but It's better to have vaccines!

The way there Vaccine there people now it will take them over A year 2022 to complete the job and if there woman boss who run;s that gang god help them

5 hours ago, Finspin said:

Will now be known as the “ Paddy Pass “

NO-NO its the WE paddy pass a much nicer green then euro.

Very bad handling by the EU since the very beginning of Covid crisis. And that awful woman should be sacked . 
Thank God we are not at war with leaders like this.