EU divided on Covid-19 ‘vaccination passports’ for travel
EU Debates | eudebates.tv
2021-02-14
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As a growing number of Covid-19 vaccines are being approved and vaccination campaigns are taking off, discussions are turning towards the possible introduction of a “vaccination passport” allowing vaccinated people to travel freely. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/eu-policies/transport-and-travel/new-2021-travel-rules-and-european-additional-safeguards/
On 15 January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that she supported the idea of common vaccination certificates, calling for agreements at the European level, as European Council President Charles Michel warned that it should not be introduced too soon.
#eudebates #travelers #Travel #restrictions #Belgium #COVID #Borders
With no clear European consensus, the idea is now proving polarizing – with countries whose economy heavily relies on tourism pleading in favour, while others warn it would be discriminatory.
Here’s where they stand:
In favour: Greece, Spain, Italy
The initial proposal for a European “vaccination certificate” to facilitate travel within the EU was submitted in January, by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece.
On Monday, Greece also concluded an agreement with Israel – which has the highest vaccination rate – to allow their respective citizens to travel between the two countries without restrictions, provided they have been vaccinated.
Spain has also pronounced itself in favour of such a passport, with Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya calling it “a very important element to guarantee the return to mobility in complete safety.”
In Italy, too, the Extraordinary Commissioner for managing the health crisis, Domenico Arcuri, stated that such a passport was “not a bad idea” to “allow the return to normal activities as quickly as possible.”
Already launched: Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia
Last week, both Denmark and Sweden announced plans to roll out digital vaccine certificates for travel, aiming to be able to restart tourism in the summer. They could also be used to access sporting or cultural events, and even restaurants in Denmark.
Iceland – which is not part of the EU but belongs to the Schengen area – started issuing these digital documents at the end of January, aiming to facilitate movement between countries.
Travellers presenting such a certificate at the Icelandic border are exempt from official border restrictions, and are not obliged to undergo a Covid-19 test.
In Estonia, a pilot project has been launched, exempting passengers from quarantine on arrival if they can show proof of vaccination, PCR or serological testing.
A local company, Guardtime, started the project, and the country is working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop it internationally. In principle, the WHO supports vaccine certificates, but it is critical of the idea of them being used as a requisite for travel.
On 15 January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that she supported the idea of common vaccination certificates, calling for agreements at the European level, as European Council President Charles Michel warned that it should not be introduced too soon.
#eudebates #travelers #Travel #restrictions #Belgium #COVID #Borders
With no clear European consensus, the idea is now proving polarizing – with countries whose economy heavily relies on tourism pleading in favour, while others warn it would be discriminatory.
Here’s where they stand:
In favour: Greece, Spain, Italy
The initial proposal for a European “vaccination certificate” to facilitate travel within the EU was submitted in January, by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece.
On Monday, Greece also concluded an agreement with Israel – which has the highest vaccination rate – to allow their respective citizens to travel between the two countries without restrictions, provided they have been vaccinated.
Spain has also pronounced itself in favour of such a passport, with Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya calling it “a very important element to guarantee the return to mobility in complete safety.”
In Italy, too, the Extraordinary Commissioner for managing the health crisis, Domenico Arcuri, stated that such a passport was “not a bad idea” to “allow the return to normal activities as quickly as possible.”
Already launched: Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia
Last week, both Denmark and Sweden announced plans to roll out digital vaccine certificates for travel, aiming to be able to restart tourism in the summer. They could also be used to access sporting or cultural events, and even restaurants in Denmark.
Iceland – which is not part of the EU but belongs to the Schengen area – started issuing these digital documents at the end of January, aiming to facilitate movement between countries.
Travellers presenting such a certificate at the Icelandic border are exempt from official border restrictions, and are not obliged to undergo a Covid-19 test.
In Estonia, a pilot project has been launched, exempting passengers from quarantine on arrival if they can show proof of vaccination, PCR or serological testing.
A local company, Guardtime, started the project, and the country is working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop it internationally. In principle, the WHO supports vaccine certificates, but it is critical of the idea of them being used as a requisite for travel.
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