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In addition, the European Commission is committed to agreeing with the Member States protocols for vaccination certificates (vaccine passports) by the end of January, which should be recognized and used in the health system throughout the European Union.
Globally, they should be coordinated with the World Health Organization, according to a draft of the document made available to Bloomberg reporters. Such vaccination certificates would replace the quarantine and testing requirements, and would serve as proof that a particular person “can travel without risking others.”
The draft recommendations, due to be formally adopted on Tuesday, come at a time when the increasing number of new diseases in the European Union is forcing member states to continue to live in quarantine.
It also reflects the current situation with vaccines, in which the European Union is inferior to the United States, the United Kingdom and other developed countries.
European Union leaders will attend a remote conference on Thursday to learn about the latest initiatives from the European Commission.
Among the controversial topics on the agenda, including the requirement to legalize the vaccination certificate system as soon as possible, it is expected to help resume travel, at least for those who will be vaccinated against the new coronavirus.
The idea, which appears to be supported by the European Commission, reflects the desire of tourism-dependent economies like Greece to get back on track for the summer tourist season. Countries like France are not in too much of a rush to implement the idea of vaccination certificates as they would make vaccination mandatory, and at present there simply wouldn’t be enough vaccines due to limited supply.
Travel insurance
“It is very important to set specific targets when promoting ambitious vaccination efforts. By March 2021, Member States must have vaccinated at least 80%. Health and social care professionals and people over 80 years of age. In addition, by the summer of By 2021, Member States must have vaccinated at least 70% of adult populations, ”says the document.
The Commission’s recommendations, which are not binding on Member States, also state:
Identify at least 5%, preferably 10%, of all positive coronavirus test genomic sequences, monitor the emergence of new strains;
Expand the application of rapid tests;
Replace general travel bans with more specific measures;
The European Commission also promises “to speed up the approval process for new vaccine production facilities” and to help member states establish vaccination centers and electronic vaccine reservation systems.
The proposals reflect Member States’ concern about insufficient vaccine production capacity.
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