In good time before the summer season, the EU countries and the EU Parliament have agreed on details of a Europe-wide certificate for the detection of corona vaccinations, tests and survived Covid-19 diseases. This was announced by the Portuguese Presidency in Brussels on Thursday evening. This increases the chance of making further travel easier in the EU. Portugal currently holds the rotation of the presidency of the EU countries.
Until recently, there was a dispute about the extent to which EU countries can determine travel facilitation and restrictions themselves. The compromise now provides that the sovereignty of the member states will not be interfered with, but additional restrictions such as quarantine for those with negative tests, vaccinated or cured persons should only be introduced if the infection situation requires it.
Electronic vaccination certificate by summer?
It is still unclear when exactly the European certificate will be introduced in the individual countries. The German Federal Ministry of Health said at the beginning of the week that it is currently assumed that an electronic vaccination certificate could be made available “in the second half of the second quarter”, ie by June 30th at the latest.
In many countries it is already possible to enter without having to be in quarantine. In Greece, for example, all that is required is a completed vaccination or a PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old. As of Wednesday, the quarantine requirement for entry into Austria no longer applies for Germans, but at least one test with a negative result must have been made. In Italy, too, there is no longer any obligation to isolate yourself – but the authorities continue to require a negative corona test result on arrival. (cat / SDA)
In Switzerland, the first Covid certificates for vaccinated, convalescent and tested people are to be issued gradually from June 7th.
In order for the Swiss to be able to travel within the EU with their Covid certificate without any problems, the EU Commission must recognize the Swiss certificate system as equivalent. This recognition is still pending.
At the moment, however, there is nothing to suggest that Brussels will refuse to recognize the equivalence of the Covid certificate because of the blocked institutional framework agreement.
Published: May 20th, 2021, 7:09 pm
Last updated: May 20, 2021, 8:07 pm