(Reuters) : European Union nations formally agreed on Wednesday to launch Covid travel passes as a step towards reopening tourism this summer and will negotiate details with the bloc’s lawmakers in May, two diplomatic sources mentioned.
The certificates would allow those vaccinated, recovered from Covid, or with negative test results to travel more easily within the EU, where restrictions on movement have weighed heavily on the travel and tourist industry for over a yr.
The 27 EU member states “underlined their commitment to having the framework ready by the summer of 2021,” mentioned a document endorsed by national envoys.
The European Parliament, which must also agree to the proposal for it to take effect, is due to agree its own position later this month and final talks between the lawmakers, national envoys, and the bloc’s executive are expected to start in May.
EU nations are working in parallel to ensure “that the necessary technological solutions are in place”, the decision read, so that the new digital or paper certificates can be used once approved.
The member states’ agreement includes provisions against discrimination towards those that cannot or don’t wish to get vaccinated and allows for a range of tests to prove recovery.
Whereas member states would be obliged to recognize EU-approved vaccines, specific nations might also issue certificates covering jabs Russia’s Sputnik or China’s Sinovac vaccines that are only authorized on their territory.
Other EU nations would decide whether to accept certificates referring to a vaccine not approved by EU regulators.