"Free Movement Within Region" EU Implements 'Digital COVID-19 Certificate' Starting Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The European Union (EU) Digital COVID-19 Certificate, which allows free movement within the region for those vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently tested negative, officially came into effect on the 1st (local time).

According to the EU Commission, holders of this certificate are generally exempt from separate quarantine or additional testing when traveling between the 27 EU member states, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. It is issued to EU citizens and residents who have been vaccinated, recently tested negative, or recovered from COVID-19 and possess antibodies.

Each member state issues the certificate free of charge, and it can be used in digital form or as a paper version containing a QR code.

This measure is interpreted as an effort to enable free movement within the region even amid the COVID-19 situation, thereby aiding economic recovery.

Countries may impose additional restrictions on holders of the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate if new variants spread or if necessary for public health. AFP reported that "an emergency brake clause allowing temporary suspension of acceptance of the EU Digital COVID Certificate may be triggered due to the surge of the Delta variant," citing the recent case where Germany banned entry from Portugal, where the Delta variant has spread.

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