MEPs are set to give final approval to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, to facilitate intra-EU travel during the pandemic and contribute to the economic recovery.
The legislative moves to ensure free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic were fast tracked by Parliament. An agreement with the Council followed only two months after their presentation by the Commission, so they would be in place before the start of the summer season.
The certificate, which will be free of charge and may be digital or paper, will prove that a holder has been vaccinated, recovered from the sickness or recently passed a negative test. A common framework will allow all EU member states to issue certificates that will be interoperable, compatible, secure and verifiable across the European Union.
During the debate on Tuesday, MEPs are expected to reiterate the need for affordable and accessible testing. They will also stress that member states should not impose additional travel restrictions on certificate holders – such as quarantine, self-isolation or testing – unless justified for public health reasons, and will call for the quick deployment of the system.
The vote on the draft laws will take place on Tuesday, with results announced on Wednesday morning. Once adopted by plenary, the regulations will need to be formally adopted by the Council and published in the Official Journal, before they can start applying from 1 July.
Procedure: ordinary legislative procedure – urgent procedure
2021/0068(COD) and 2021/0071(COD)
Debate: Tuesday, 8 June
Vote results: Wednesday, 9 June
Press conference : Tuesday, 8 June, at 12.30, with rapporteur Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES)
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Press conference by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (20.5.2021)
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