The British Guardian reports that 27 European Union member states have decided to introduce digital Covid-19 vaccine passports and exempt inoculators from self-isolation from July 1.
Digital vaccine passports are a way for immigration authorities to verify the authenticity of vaccine passports through a public database inquiry when travelers in Europe show QR codes after arriving in other countries.
Vaccine passports include those who have been vaccinated, as well as those who have tested negative for Covid-19 or who have been completely cured from Covid-19.
In the case of Covid-19 vaccination certificates from Russia or China, which have not been approved by the European Medicines Agency, it has been reported that each country has decided to leave it at its discretion whether to recognize them.
Also, children of vaccinators are not required to take Covid-19 tests if they are below a certain age, and the age criteria may vary from country to country.
However, it is said that the restrictions, including self-isolation, will be maintained for arrivals from the UK, where the virus from India is spreading rapidly.
“Europeans should be able to enjoy the summer safely and comfortably,” said Urzula Ponderayen, EU Commission President. “The introduction of digital vaccine passports will make free travel in the region clear and predictable.”
The U.S. has expressed its negative stance on issuing vaccine passports, citing privacy violations, but Homeland Security Secretary Majorcas recently said he is closely examining vaccine passports for international travel.
