EU ready to launch digital Covid-19 certificate from July 1

BRUSSELS, 15 June 2021:

Senior EU officials yesterday approved the regulations for a digital immunity certificate set to facilitate free movement around the bloc amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Parliament, David Sassoli, together with Antonio Costa, the prime minister of Portugal, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said the digital Covid certificate was “a symbol of what Europe stands for”.

“We can be proud of this great achievement. The Europe that we all know and that we all want back is a Europe without barriers,” read the joint statement.

The certificate is to “again enable citizens to enjoy this most tangible and cherished of EU rights — the right to free movement,” it added.

The EU chiefs said the document stands for “a Europe that unites and grows when faced with challenges.”

The regulation of the certificate was agreed between the EU institutions “in the record time of 62 days,” according to the statement.

Entering into force on July 1, the document is to show whether a person has tested negative for Covid-19, has recently recovered from the virus that causes the disease, or has been fully vaccinated.

– EFE