The European Commission proposed this Thursday to extend the covid digital certificate for one year, until June 30, 2023, to ensure that travelers can continue to use that document when moving between the countries of the European Union (EU).
The virus is still circulating, it is prevalent in the EU and we have to be ready for (…) further increases in the second half of the year or else new variants ariseJustice spokesman Christian Wigand said at the Commission’s daily press conference.
He specified that it is not a “permanent” system but of an “exceptional measure”.
In addition to the extension of the EU COVID Digital Certificate Regulation, the Commission proposed some changes, such as include high-quality laboratory antigen tests among the types of tests for which a certificate can be issued.
Another proposed change is to ensure that vaccination certificates contain the correct total number of doses administered in any Member State and not just in the country issuing the certificate.
The objective is “address concerns raised by citizens on the documents that indicate an incorrect number of doses when they receive the vaccines in different Member States”, the EC specified in a statement.
Finally, Brussels proposes that certificates can be issued to people who participate in clinical trials of vaccines against covid, which can be accepted by other member states.
This measure, indicated the Commission, “Aims to encourage the development and continued study of vaccines against COVID-19.”
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To ensure that the extension of the certificate is adopted on time, before June 30, Brussels asked the European Parliament and the Council (countries) to quickly support the proposal presented.
The Community Executive also reported today that, no later than March 31, it will publish a second report on the Covid Digital Certificate Regulation.