Foreign
THE European Parliament wants the so-called “digital green certificates” planned for the continent’s peak travel season to free EU citizens from additional obligations to quarantine.
It added that it would also free EU citizens from the need to self-isolate or take tests for trips within the bloc.
The EU legislature agreed on Thursday its negotiating position with the EU states and the European Commission, which is currently preparing the documents to be rolled out in the next few months.
The certificates to be available in paper form or digitally should show whether a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has a recent negative test result or has recovered from an infection.
But EU lawmakers want it to guarantee more perks than what the EU executive branch and some member states envisage.
In addition, EU countries should ensure universal, accessible, timely, and free-of-charge testing, so that those who aren’t vaccinated or can’t afford tests can also move freely, a majority of the EU legislature declared, according to a press release.
In some member states, these can cost more than 100 euros (121 dollars).
Whether the parliament will get its way is uncertain.
“Ideas such as waiving quarantine measures in the case of a negative COVID test do not reflect the severity of the situation and hinder the fight against the epidemic.
“There can only be an agreement if the parliament budges on this,” an EU member state diplomat told dpa.
In a debate on Wednesday, European Justice Commissioner, Didier Reynders, said the decision to grant free testing rests with the member states. (dpa/NAN)
– April 29, 2021 @ 12:25GMT
Tags: EU Parliament wants vaccine certificates to grant travel rights
