BRUSSELS, April 14 (Reuters) – The countries of the European Union formally agreed on Wednesday to launch COVID travel passes as a step towards the reopening of tourism this summer and will negotiate with the bloc’s legislators in May, said two diplomatic sources.
The certificates can enable those who have been vaccinated, recovered from COVID-19 or with negative test results, to travel more easily in the EU, where the restrictions on movement have weighed heavily on the travel and tourism industry for more than a year.
The 27 EU member states “underlined their commitment to have the framework ready by the summer of 2021”, according to a document endorsed by national envoys and viewed by Reuters.
The European Parliament, which must also agree to the proposal that it come into force, must agree on its own position later this month and the final talks between the legislature, national delegates and the bloc’s executive branch are expected to begin in May.
EU countries are working in parallel to ensure that “the necessary technological solutions are in place”, reads the EU27 decision, so that the new digital or paper certificates can be used once they have been approved.
The agreement of the member states contains provisions against discrimination against those who cannot or do not want to vaccinate, and provides for a series of tests to prove recovery.
While member states would be required to recognize EU-approved vaccines, specific countries may also issue certificates that reject Russian Sputnik or China-Sinovac vaccines authorized only on their territory.
Other EU countries would decide whether to accept a certificate referring to a vaccine that has not been approved by EU regulators. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)