A COVID-19 Certificate, The European Union’s Major Commitment for This Summer
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the healthcare system and the economy, bringing the usual rhythm of life to a halt and forcing us to question, point by point, the pillars that make up society. The European Union (EU) has not been exempted. Moreover, the Schengen Area, one of its symbols and greatest successes, which allows members of the territory countries to move freely, has faltered for the first time since its launch in 1995. More than a year after this unprecedented crisis started, Europe is now looking forward to summer and autumn, hoping for a successful vaccination campaign and economic recovery. Apart from the European Recovery Fund, which is the EU’s major medium-term financial commitment, its strategy contains two other essential pillars: the vaccination campaign, what is now known as the COVID-19 certificate, to allow mobility between countries.
The vaccination campaign in the EU countries has not been free from criticism. Some point out that it has been slow and uneven, with institutional failures when negotiating with pharmaceutical companies and distributing doses. A debate has even begun regarding the health competencies that the EU should have and the investment and autonomy of European production.
Currently, according to Our World in Data [1], 13.77% of EU citizens already have two doses of the vaccine, and 19.23% have one dose. The EU and its Member States are confident that progress will be made and herd immunity will be achieved in the coming months. However, the vaccination process cannot be unilateral, which is precisely why the EU has already exported almost half of its production to third countries that have difficulties accessing vaccines. For this reason, discussions regarding patent liberalization have started at the World Trade Organization. Many argue that an exemption from patent rights is essential to increasing the purchase, production, and thus, the vaccination rate. Others propose to promote voluntary licensing and increase knowledge sharing and production outlets. In any case, the Commission is now debating these possible solutions to increase the number of vaccinations globally, because most experts agree that leaving regions behind jeopardizes the global exit from the pandemic.
The other venture to boost Europe’s recovery process is the launch of the COVID-19 Certificate (also known as the vaccine passport). On March 17, 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to create a Green Digital Certificate. This certificate was initiated by the European Parliament and is now called the COVID-19 Certificate. It is designed to facilitate the free movement of citizens in the EU. This Certificate intends to strengthen the economy by giving a boost to sectors, such as tourism.
In the plenary week of May 2021, the Parliament and the Council reached an agreement. This establishes that there may be three different certificates, containing: if the person has been vaccinated (with a vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency), if a COVID-19 diagnostic test has been performed, or if the person has gone through and recovered from the virus. These measures aim to promote and encourage free movement of workers or travelers between EU countries, whether they are vaccinated or not. In addition, the certificate may be digital (working with a QR code) or paper and will only be active for 12 months.
Additionally, in order to make the certificate more accessible, it has been agreed that the European Commission will mobilize at least 100 million euros from the Emergency Support Instrument (ESI) to ensure that everyone has equal access to COVID-19 tests.
Tourism is one of the main sources of income for the Spanish economy and one of the sectors that suffered the most in 2020. Data presented by the sector from the beginning of the year points out that travel agencies’ sales fell by 80%, leisure companies by 71.1%, hotels by 66.6%, and airlines by 65.5%. With this data and summer approaching, the sector is asking for some respite and guarantees. The certificate could provide greater security to authorities and travelers wishing to visit the country, bringing with them a positive impact on these figures.
Last Friday, May 21, the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) unanimously supported the agreement reached in the European Parliament concerning the COVID-19 Certificate. The European Parliament is now expected to vote on its first reading during the plenary session on June 7-10. Afterward, Parliament and Council will have to sign it, and then it will take effect on July 1. Taking into account the potential arrival of funds before summer and the vaccination campaign progress, it is safe to say, with an optimistic outlook, that recovery may be one step closer.
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[1] Our World in Data (2021). Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations.
Article by Marina López Llorente.
