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The revised non-binding EC guidelines on travel were published a week before the adoption of EU legislation on the EU COVID-19 digital certificate.
The last few weeks have seen a steady decline in the number of infections, reflecting the success of vaccination campaigns in the European Union, said EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders.
Along with promoting affordable testing, this means that member states are now gradually lifting restrictions on COVID-19, both on their own territory and on travel, he said.
The EU wants people to be able to travel within the block without testing or quarantine, with the COVID-19 digital certificate that will take effect on July 1. A certificate would prove that the person is fully vaccinated, has recovered from COVID-19, or has recently received a negative response to the COVID-19 test.
The EC website, where border guards and other officials will be able to verify the validity of the certificates, will be operational on Tuesday.
Good start
Commission officials said they encouraged member states to issue and adopt COVID-19 certificates starting in June so that all EU countries could use them at the end of the month, before the peak of the summer tourist season.
The EC proposal calls on member states to adopt many elements of the COVID-19 certificate before it becomes law.
This includes lifting entry restrictions for people who can show that they have been fully vaccinated with one of the EU-approved vaccines at least two weeks before travel, and the adoption of an ’emergency brake’ to quickly restrict travel from regions where COVID is a concern 19 varieties.
The Commission also proposes that Member States exempt children from quarantine requirements and do not require testing of children under the age of six for families to travel together.
Commission officials say that as soon as the EU COVID-19 certificate goes live, it will allow visitors to be admitted from outside the block.
Member States can also introduce more flexible entry rules into their territory, such as allowing entry of partially vaccinated or vaccinated people with vaccines not approved by the EU but approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Currently, Member States have jointly agreed on a very short “white list” of low-risk countries such as Australia, South Korea and Israel. Residents of these countries can enter the EU.
Mutual recognition of COVID-19 certificates is being discussed with “many countries,” including the United States, to expand international travel, an EU official said.
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