Category: COVID-19 certificates

EU Sets Binding 9-Month Validity of Vaccinations for COVID-19 Travel Pass

The European Commission on Tuesday adopted rules that will make the European Union COVID-19 certificate valid for travel nine months after the completion of the primary vaccination schedule. The proposal comes as several EU states introduce additional requirements on travelers in a bid to reduce the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. EU Justice Commissioner…


Portugal’s Madeira to Allow Visitors With COVID-19 Shots Not Approved by EU

LISBON—The popular Portuguese islands of Madeira will allow entry to visitors with any of the COVID-19 jabs being administered worldwide and not only with those approved by Europe’s drug regulator, the regional government said on Sunday. The European Union, which launched its digital COVID-19 certificate last week, has so far authorized only four vaccines—those of…


EU Executive Urges Reopening in Summer to Vaccinated Tourists

BRUSSELS—The European Commission proposed on Monday that vaccinated people should be exempt from testing or quarantines when traveling from one EU country to another, and urged a gradual easing of travel measures as COVID-19 inoculations accelerate. The EU reached a deal earlier this month on COVID-19 certificates that will show, via a QR code, whether…


French Assembly Approves COVID-19 ‘Health Pass’ on Second Attempt

PARIS—France’s National Assembly approved on Wednesday the creation of a COVID-19 “health pass” that people can use to attend sports events, festivals, and theme parks with large crowds, a hotly contested government measure to help safely re-open the economy. The health pass, which will come into effect from June 9, will provide proof that a…


EU Parliament: COVID-19 Pass Should Guarantee Free Movement

BRUSSELS—European lawmakers said Thursday that COVID-19 certificates aimed at facilitating travel across the European Union should be enough to move freely this summer, a position likely to clash with member states’ prerogatives in their upcoming negotiations. EU legislators said Thursday in their negotiating position on the European Commission’s proposal that EU governments shouldn’t impose quarantines,…