The
European Commission has proposed the introduction of a Digital Green
Certificate to indicate a traveller's Covid test and vaccination status as part of the bloc’s
recovery plans.
The
scheme, revealed today amid wider recovery plans, is designed to facilitate the
return of travel within the EU and could be operational by June.
A
technical framework will be developed to issue, verify and accept certificates,
and will ensure security, interoperability and full compliance with personal
data protection, said the Commission. It will
also “allow the possibility to extend to compatible certificates issued in
third countries”.
“The conditions must be created across the single
market to allow for safe and sustained re-opening, so that citizens can enjoy
their rights and economic and social activity can resume,” it said in a
statement. “This includes the deployment of a Digital Green Certificate
covering vaccination, testing and recovery.”
The Commission has been working
with member states across the eHealth Network and Health Security Committee
to define central interoperability elements, a minimum dataset for vaccination
certificates and a unique identifier.
It has also consulted with the
World Health Organization to ensure certificates issued in the EU can be
recognised across the world, and has also liaised with the International Civil
Aviation Organization.
As well as proof of vaccination, Digital Green Certificates will incorporate
documents certifying a recent negative test result and documents declaring the
traveller has recovered from a previous Covid infection.
Digital Green Certificates are
likely to be issued by hospitals, test centres and health authorities and will
feature secure QR codes. They will be available in digital and/or paper format
and provided in the national language and in English.
“When travelling, every EU
citizen or third-country national legally staying or residing in the
EU, who holds a Digital Green Certificate, should be exempted from free
movement restrictions in the same way as citizens from the visited member state,”
says the Commission.
It stressed that the possession
of a Digital Green Certificate should not be a pre-condition for the exercise
of free movement, acknowledging that persons not vaccinated by choice or on
medical grounds should not be discriminated against.
The Commission will seek endorsement of the plans by member states
at the next meeting of the European Council on 25 March.