The European Parliament has published a Q&A regarding the EU’s coming digital green certificate that is intended to help potential travelers find out more about the program.
Below will be a summarized version of the common questions that the Parliament answered in their Q&A.
Parliament supports an EU Covid-19 certificate that would allow travel within Europe without additional restrictions or limitations.
The European Parliament has proposed amendments to the EU digital green certificate to ensure that Member States will not impose additional restrictions or requirements on people who have a green certificate.
This action is intended to give Member States autonomy in the certificate process, but limit their powers on the subject of imposing more travel restrictions. It is also intended to create a more universal approach to handling Covid-19 travel restrictions among Member States, which is something that the Parliament has stressed for more than one year.
Why do we need the digital green certificate?
Many Member States have seen some sort of certificate as a necessary measure in order to restore freedom of Movement within the EU and Schengen Area.
Will the certificate be required to travel?
According to the Parliament, the digital green certificate will not be required in order to travel, and no one will be required to have it.
Is the certificate a ‘vaccine passport?’
Thanks to the Parliament, the digital green certificate will not become a precondition for travel or a required travel document.
The purpose of the certificate is to allow for easier travel between Member States without facing any additional restrictions, such as quarantine.
Will I face discrimination if I am not vaccinated?
According to the Parliament, no person will face discrimination if they are not vaccinated. The digital green certificate will also be available to those who have recovered from Covid-19 or have recently shown a negative Covid-19 test.
How much does a certificate cost?
The digital green certificate will be free of charge, according to the Parliament. In addition, they have proposed that the EU makes Covid-19 testing free of charge.
Which vaccines will be recognized?
Recognized vaccines will include those that have been approved by the European Medicines Agency. At the time of writing this article, these are the Comirnaty, Janssen, Moderna, and Vaxzevria vaccines.
The Parliament has also urged for World Health Organization-approved vaccines to be included for approved vaccines for the certificate.
How long will the certificate be around?
The Parliament has proposed that the digital green certificate be in existence no longer than 12 months from the time of its implementation. It should be a temporary measure, not a permanent precondition for travel.
What if I don’t have a smartphone?
If someone does not have a smartphone, they can get the certificate in paper format as well as digital, all free of charge.
Where will my data be stored?
Every participant’s data will be protected by the EU’s General Data Protection Rules. There will be no central facility where everyone’s data will be stored. In addition, a new certificate should be issued for each vaccination, negative test, or recovery. No history of previous certificates will be stored.
