The 27 agree on a European health pass, the launch of which is scheduled for the beginning of July for the tourist season. (Drawing) – AFP
“White smoke: we have an agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a European Covid digital certificate,” tweeted European Commissioner Didier Reynders. Member states reached an agreement on Thursday for a European health pass. The latter will allow travel within the EU despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have achieved this new instrument in record time to safeguard free movement for all citizens,” he said. Indeed, the representatives of the European Parliament and the Twenty-Seven reached a compromise at the end of a fourth session of negotiations, carried out at an accelerated pace, under the pressure of the timetable.
Highly anticipated by the countries most dependent on tourism
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the certificate would be “a key element on the way to resuming safe and easy travel across the EU”. Much awaited by the countries most dependent on tourism, and initially suggested by Greece, this European health certificate is intended to provide a harmonized framework to facilitate travel within the EU this summer. It contains a QR code indicating that its holder has been vaccinated, that he has passed a negative test or that he has immunity after being infected with Covid-19.
MEPs initially called for free tests, a measure some member states were opposed to because of the cost it represents for their public finances. The compromise reached mentions the need for “affordable and accessible” tests, and the European Commission’s commitment to mobilize 100 million euros to buy tests, using European funding, “the aid instrument of emergency ”, and if necessary an additional 100 million, according to a text.
Quarantines only if necessary
The European Parliament also initially demanded that certificate holders not be able to be imposed restrictive measures such as a quarantine on their arrival in a country. But the Twenty-Seven, stressing that this is a national competence, wanted to keep this possibility, for example in the event of the appearance of a variant.
The text provides that member states “refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions” such as tests or quarantine, “unless they are necessary and proportionate to protect public health”.
Entry into force scheduled for July 1
The health pass is on the menu of the leaders’ summit scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday in Brussels. The agreement will have to be approved by Parliament, whose next plenary is scheduled for June 7-10 in Strasbourg. “This would allow entry into force on July 1,” Spanish MEP Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, Parliament negotiator, told a press conference.
Along with political negotiations, the European certificate system is subject to technical tests with the States to verify its interoperability. This phase does not involve the use of real data or the participation of citizens. But as of June 1, member countries will be able to start using the system under real conditions if they are ready, according to the Commission. It is up to the Member States to decide whether they include this certificate in their national tracing application – as in France – or whether they use a separate application.