The European Commission has proposed the Digital Green Card to restore free movement within Europe. A paper or digital card proves the holder is immune, has tested negative for COVID-19 or has received a vaccination. It will also contain a QR code to protect citizens' data.
Following the European Parliament's vote on 25 March to fast-track the introduction of the Digital Green Card, the EU health certificate is expected to be operational by the end of June 2021. The travel document, also known as the Digital Green Card, will allow EU citizens to move safely within the European Union during pandemic COVID-19.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, said the EU is „strengthening the region's anti-virus response to free and secure movement within the EU” with the introduction of the "Digital Green Card".
GREEN PASSPORT FOR SAFE TRAVEL
Von der Leyen shared on social media in March that a legislative proposal for a Digital Green Card would certify that someone has received the vaccination. However, it will also be available to those who have tested negative for COVID-19 or who have acquired immunity following infection.
The President also said that this vaccination passport would facilitate travel. The aim is to „gradually enable citizens to move safely within the European Union or abroad”.
During the pandemic, travel to and within the EU was limited to essential travel only. A green passport would restore free movement in Europe.
WHAT IS A DIGITAL GREEN CARD?
The certificate will confirm that the person has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, has had a negative PCR test result or has recovered from COVID-19.
This European Coronavirus Certificate could revitalise intra-regional travel, as:
- accessible and safe
- non-discriminatory
- is used solely for the storage and processing of relevant information and secure personal data.
The Green Card covers three types of certificates:
- vaccination
- COVID-19 tests, such as NAAT and PCR, or rapid antigen testing
- Certificates of persons recovered from COVID-19
FREE READING
All EU citizens and residents receive a green card free of charge. It will be available in paper and digital format. The card will be QR-coded to avoid fraud.
WHEN WILL IT BE INTRODUCED?
On 25 March, the European Parliament voted in favour of the accelerated introduction of the digital green card under the urgency procedure. Does this mean that European citizens can now get their EU Green Card? No. This accelerated timetable actually means that the EU Green Card is expected to be operational by the end of June 2021.
Didier Reynders, EU Justice Commissioner, assured MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee on 13 April that the technical background for the Green Card will be ready by the end of June 2021.
On 14 April, EU Member States formally agreed to launch the Green Card. According to a document issued by the national delegates, all 27 countries „underlined their commitment to complete the framework by summer 2021”.
EU GREEN CARD INTEROPERABILITY WITH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Some EU countries, keen to relaunch tourism and business travel, are prioritising the validity and interoperability of the Digital Green Card across Europe.
While EU Member States such as Spain and Greece are organising bilateral meetings with developing countries to restore pre-pandemic tourism, Ursula von der Leyen announced on 25 April that vaccinated US travellers will be eligible to visit Europe this summer.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE THE GREEN CARD MORE CONSUMER-FRIENDLY
The European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC), a regional organisation set up jointly by the European Union, has published a series of recommendations to further improve the Green Card from an end-user perspective.
The proposals included seven key areas:
- The European COVID card should „provide up-to-date information on the requirements for entry into or transit through each Member State”.
- The European Commission should establish a list of recognised, valid COVID tests.
- The tests required to travel with a COVID card must be agreed.
- Testing should be „free” as long as the vaccine is not available to all citizens.
- The principle of non-discrimination must apply when using the Green Card.
- Personal data on COVID certificates can only be accessed, processed and verified for the purpose of the journey.
- The EU should clarify the link between the Digital Green Card and the current passenger ID forms.
PCR TESTING AND QUARANTINE MEASURES CONTINUE
Although the European Commission has approved the draft decision on the green passport, it will take a few months before EU countries can implement it.
According to EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, the certificate will be valid until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, while PCR testing and quarantine measures continue in Europe to allow free movement of the population. In other words, the vaccine is not a prerequisite for free movement.
VACCINE PASSPORT TO HELP THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
The pandemic has had a negative impact on EU business travel and tourism. The Green Card can help boost travel.
European tourism provided 27 million jobs and contributed 10% of the EU's GDP.
Some EU partners, such as Germany, have reservations about requiring a vaccine passport. Meanwhile, countries heavily dependent on tourism, such as Spain, Italy and Greece, have supported the approval of a green passport.
Greece already has an agreement to welcome Israeli citizens if they have a vaccination passport.
Cyprus will accept British citizens from 1 May, but they must have two doses of vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
HOW WILL THE GREEN CARD BOOST TRAVEL?
A Green Card, or as some people call it, a vaccine passport, is primarily a certificate of vaccination and a coronavirus test. It is proof that a person has received the vaccination or test and is not spreading the virus.
This means that Green Card holders can travel safely and visit tourist attractions, festivals, restaurants or bars.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE VACCINE PASSPORT
The motivation behind the rapid introduction of the Green Card is primarily to get travel and tourism across Europe back on track as quickly as possible, but despite a strong vote in favour of a faster timetable, the proposal has raised concerns among some MEPs.
The main concerns are:
- The role of the competent parliamentary committees and MEPs is reduced by the accelerated procedure.
- Protecting EU citizens' data.
- Inclusiveness and discrimination.
On data protection, Didier Reynders said there would be no central database of citizens' Green Cards at EU level.
It is a priority for the Green Card scheme designers to ensure that the vaccine passports have high security standards in line with EU data protection and privacy legislation.
Some argue that the vaccine passport is not inclusive. It separates those who receive the vaccine from those who do not. On the other hand, advocates of the EU Digital Green Card argue that the three methods of certifying that travellers are free of the coronavirus show that the system does not discriminate against those who have not been vaccinated. Reynders said that non-discrimination policies and EU data protection strategies remain vital for the Commission.
The Digital Green Card is expected to bring back free movement within the EU and help revitalise tourism in the Schengen area without compromising public health.
source: www.etiasvisa.com
