EU proposes time limit for COVID-19 vaccine passport for tourists

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The European Union has proposed that the COVID-19 vaccine passport should expire after nine months for citizens entering and exiting the block of 27 members, union executives announced Thursday.

Didier Lendels, EU Justice Commissioner, said:

The European Commission (EC) has acknowledged that the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine declines over time and is considered eligible if the final dose of primary vaccination is within the last 9 months, and this update is We are proposing that it will be applied from January. 10.10.

People who have recently recovered CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus From January 10th, you will be able to access a valid “EU Digital Covid Certificate” (which allows Europeans a certain “freedom”) within 180 days before traveling, or a certificate that is considered equivalent. You need to be allowed to travel within the EU.

The EC also proposed accepting all COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for travel purposes.

No vaccination rules are required for children under 6 years of age. Children between the ages of 6 and 17 are allowed to travel in and out of the EU with a negative PCR test performed before travel if not vaccinated.

Vaccine passport
March 3, 2021, vaccine vial labeled “COVID-19 vaccine” and syringe in European passport. (JoelSaget / AFP via Getty Images)

Important renewals for travelers who have access to a valid EU digital COVID certificate, which is normally displayed on mobile devices, are subject to additional restrictions such as testing and quarantine, regardless of the place of departure in the EU. It includes things that don’t happen.according to statement According to EC. Passports are issued by each country but are recognized throughout the block.

The proposal also shows that vaccine boosters are likely to be needed in the future to travel freely beyond the first nine months. Most EU residents were vaccinated with final doses in the second and third quarters of 2021. That is, their coverage will almost expire by mid-next year.

The EC noted that Thursday’s proposal did not include the validity period of the travel certificate issued based on the booster shot. This means that a new expiration date may be announced later to include booster jab advice.

“The Commission will carefully monitor the emerging scientific evidence on this issue,” he said. “Based on such evidence, the Commission may, if necessary, propose an appropriate acceptance period for vaccination certificates issued after booster immunization.”

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kiriyakides statement On Thursday, about 65 percent of the EU’s population was vaccinated. Even after a successful vaccination campaign, the continent was once again the center of the CCP virus pandemic.

Epoch Times Photo
After giving a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on November 24, the EU’s role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and how to vaccinate the world, the European Commission Health Stella Kiriyakides of the Food Safety Commission walks. 2021. (Julien Warnand / POOL via Getty Images)

“In order for everyone to travel and live as safely as possible, we need to urgently reach significantly higher immunization rates,” emphasized Kiria Kides. “We also need to boost immunity with booster vaccines,” she added.

The new system allows only vaccinated or recovered people to enter the EU for non-essential trips, no matter where they traveled. Currently, travelers from countries that are considered safe can only enter with a negative test, but the list of safe countries will be abolished.

Separately, the EC will require the EU Government from outside the block for those vaccinated in jabs who have completed the WHO emergency use list process and those vaccinated with EU-approved vaccines. Requested to allow travel that is not.

The EU has previously licensed vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca (if manufactured in Europe), and Johnson & Johnson.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Lorenz Duchan

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