EUROPE. Representatives of Europe’s aviation, travel, tourism and travel retail sectors have welcomed yesterday’s vote in the European Parliament on the EU’s proposed Digital Green Certificate Regulation. The Parliament voted in favour of introducing ‘EU COVID-19 Certificates’ this Summer, permitting regional travel for those who are vaccinated, have had a negative COVID-19 test or who have recovered from COVID-19.
The move sets negotiations between the Parliament, the Council and the European Commission in motion to conclude new legislation.
The Parliament position brings forward the following changes to the original proposal:
- A new name, ‘EU COVID-19 Certificate’ has been agreed to make it clearer to EU citizens and also limit the certificates’ use to during the pandemic.
- Free and accessible testing: The requirement to conduct pre-departure tests (often PCR) should not create an economic distortion between travellers, said the Parliament. With tests ranging from €10 to €150, such high costs could become a deterrent to travel – in particular among families, it noted.
- Full equality among vaccinated and tested citizens: No additional measures such as quarantine or further testing should be imposed on travellers presenting a valid ‘EU COVID-19 Certificate’.
Among the organisations to react to the vote were ETRC (representing the travel retail sector), ACI Europe (airports) and IATA and A4E (airlines), among others. They have urged swift negotiations and agreement by mid-May so that pilot testing and full implementation can take place in June.
They said in a statement that “swift action and alignment among the institutions is now critical to make the certificates operational by June and ensure reciprocity with non-EU systems. Common, interoperable, secure and GDPR-compliant health certificates represent an essential tool to facilitate the free movement of people within the EU and reopen travel in a safe and responsible way through the easing, and ultimately lifting of current travel restrictions.”
The associations added that the proposed amendments “send a strong political message from the Parliament on the urgency to restore free movement in the EU”.
Vaccination drives in Europe continue to gain momentum, with 26.5% of EU citizens having received at least one dose, compared with 16% four weeks ago.
