The European Union completed the last procedure for the entry into force of the Covid certificate in July

The European Union completed the last procedure on Monday to make the agreement creating the EU’s Covid digital certificate a standard, which aims to guarantee European tourists with immunity or with a negative PCR that they will be able to travel without restrictions to from July 1 in the Schengen area.

The presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, and of the European Council, Charles Michel, confirmed during a brief ceremony in Brussels the document that will allow the formal entry into force of the European document, which has already started to issue and recognize a dozen countries , including Spain.

From Brussels, they wanted to insist on the fact that it is not a travel document to benefit from free movement, because it is a right which assists all Europeans within the Schengen area without borders, but rather “Facilitate mobility” because the national authorities undertake not to require quarantine or additional tests in principle on the arrival of the traveler at destination.

The Covid certificate will be used to allow the user to prove while traveling within the EU that he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, has antibodies because he has conquered the disease in the last 180 days or has a negative PCR test in the past 72 hours.

In the case of those vaccinated, the consensus is to release those who have the full immunization schedule at least fourteen days before travel from the restrictive measures, although each member state is free to decide whether it agrees to relax the measures also for those who received only one dose.

Regarding diagnostic tests before travel, also The door is now open for Member States to admit rapid antigen tests, although they are those recognized by the agreed list at 27 and carried out within 48 hours before travel.

Despite attempts by the European Chamber, PCR or antigen tests linked to the Certificate will not generally be free, although the Commission will allocate funds to Member States for the purchase of tests to at least ensure that they are available. at an “affordable price”. affordable price. “.

However, the easing of restrictions for certificate holders are recommendations that the 27 are committed to follow but are not required to comply, as border management is a national competence.

An “emergency brake” is also created so that any Member State can reintroduce measures in the event of an emergency if it fears the entry of new variants or doubts checks at the place of origin of the journey.

In all cases, The certificate will be launched across the EU from July 1, it will be free and will offer the information in multiple languages, in digital or physical format.

The ‘security gateway’ created by the EU to ensure that only essential document holder information has access, and not protected data, which is true, has been in place since June, when most countries have been able to testing the system at a technical level since May.

(with EP information)

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