"Travel Without Quarantine" EU Agrees on Details of Vaccination Certificate

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The European Union (EU) has reached an agreement on the details of the COVID-19 vaccination certificate that allows travel without quarantine. It is expected to be used across Europe, raising attention on whether it can revitalize the tourism industry ahead of the summer vacation season.

Earlier this year, Portugal, holding the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of the year, announced on the 20th (local time) that EU member states and the European Parliament had agreed on the details of the vaccination certificate, according to German media reports.

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health, described it as "an important step in resuming free movement among member states."

The EU vaccination certificate proves vaccination status, COVID-19 test results, and recovery status, and is issued in digital or paper form. Bloomberg News explained, "With the certificate, holders can visit all EU member states without separate quarantine."

The introduction timeline remains unclear. However, the German Ministry of Health recently projected that the electronic vaccination certificate will be fully ready by the end of June at the latest.

The EU and the European Parliament agreed to impose additional restrictions only when unavoidable, depending on the infection situation, without infringing on the sovereignty of member states.

Until recently, the core controversy among member states was the extent to which each EU member state can independently decide on travel restrictions or easing of such restrictions. Countries like Greece, Austria, and Italy already allow entry without self-quarantine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.