EU Digital COVID Certificate

Today, from El Pais, one of the major newspapers here in Spain (In English) - The EU Digital Covid Certificate: Who will be issuing them and what are they for?

From July 1, the European Union is going to put into use a “Digital Green Pass” that will allow its citizens to travel across the 27-country bloc without the need for quarantines – assuming the epidemiological situation does not take a new turn for the worse. The “EU Digital Covid Certificate,” as the scheme is known, is an optional system is for use by residents and visitors alike, open to both EU and 3rd country citizens.

What is the passport for?
The EU Digital Covid Certificate aims to guarantee the use of national certificates across the union that prove that the holder has been vaccinated against Covid-19, has had a negative PCR or antigen test for the virus, or has recovered from the illness thus enjoying a period of immunity from reinfection.

Who will issue these certificates?
The member states will decide this. In the case of Spain, the regions – which are in charge of their own healthcare systems as well as the overall control of the pandemic in their territories – can be assigned this task. The Health Ministry will place the technical means necessary at their disposal so that they can consult the central vaccination register.

What format will they be available in?
Citizens can choose between paper, digital or both.

Why is this being done?
After a number of EU countries announced that they would create such certificates, Brussels decided that it should guarantee a model that will allow for the recovery of full movement within the EU. The bloc is also seeking to put an end to fake PCR test and vaccine certificates, by creating a homogenized system where the data can be verified.

What data should be included?
The data included should facilitate cross-EU functionality – i.e. so that a country can accept a document that has been issued by another EU member. In particular, the certificate should include a barcode or QR code that allows for the verification of the authenticity and validity of the document, among others. The certificate will have to be in the official languages of the issuing country and in English. What’s more, another document will contain the details of the Covid-19 vaccine the holder has received, the result of a PCR test or information that guarantees that the bearer has overcome the virus should they have contracted it previously.

Why have these three scenarios been chosen?
The Commission believes that scientific literature has by now consistently concluded that the Covid-19 vaccines contribute to breaking the chain of transmission an that those who have had Covid-19 in the last six months have a reduced risk of infecting others.

How can you prove that you have had Covid-19?
The document must include the date of the first positive PCR test. That certificate is only valid for 180 days.

Do I have to pay for the document?
No, the certificate is free. To avoid fraud, a fee may be charged should the holder repeatedly lose the document.

When does it come into force?
On July 1. For countries that are not ready in time, an introductory period is being considered. In Spain, the certificate will come into force ahead of that date – in fact it may start as early as today with a pilot program, coinciding with the reopening of Spanish borders to global visitors who have been vaccinated.

Does this mean that being vaccinated is obligatory for travel?
No. In fact, the certificate cannot be a precondition for travel.

How long will the regulation in force?
So far, for 12 months. The aim of the European institutions is to lift all of the restrictions on freedom of movement when the epidemiological conditions allow.

It was stated on a CNN article that a EU member nation could, at their discretion, grant a certificate to a vaccinated American. I wish I had bookmarked the article. This wouldn't happen till July 1 at the soonest though.

Yes, a European country at their discretion can issue the certificate to a citizen of a non-EU country.

A few countries are starting to use the certificates but they don't come into full effect until July 1. I suggest people be patient and wait to see what is decided. It's still early and not all has been worked out.

The vaccination certificate is NOT a precondition for travel. It just allows a universal format for European countries to follow offering information on whether or not you have been vaccinated, have had covid or have had testing for Covid. They will basically go by the information you provide. They will not be accessing any American databases. (Remember, the states control your vaccination records and not the federal government. They are not going to give access to their computers to a foreign government. )

It will all work out in the end. Just relax and be patient.

So far, countries admitting vaccinated Americans have accepted the CDC card with the necessary information.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/eu-covid-certificate-travel-explainer/index.html

A quote from the article: "...an EU spokesperson has told CNN that the bloc expects to open the scheme up to non-citizens -- including Americans. Access will depend on individual countries providing certificates for their visitors. More information is expected to be released before the official launch on July 1."

Let's hope US government can provide an equivalent vaccination certificate for international travels. Let's wait and see if the CDC card would work for obtaining an EU digital COVID certificate with vaccination status come July 1. I doubt it. In this case, I suspect it will be down to each country whether to accept CDC card outside of the EU digital COVID certificate scheme. Most countries might because of the US tourists dollars, but I suspect with the added condition of COVID negative test result because the CDC card is not a secure document.

@gw300: The US government or CDC will not be able to provide the certificate, since the US government does not record any Covid vaccinations. The vaccine provider is supposed to report the vaccination to the state health department. I have been told not all state health departments record adult vaccinations(!). I do know OR, WA, and CA do, I cannot speak to other states. The following CDC link has contact info for individual state immunization records:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html#al

Note the individuals may not have direct access to their records, access is restricted to health care providers (for privacy reasons). Basically the CDC page says to start by contacting your primary care doctor.

I have no idea how the providers will be expected to provide these certificates. The other question that comes to mind is how this will play in states that have passed laws forbidding issuing or requiring vaccine passports.

In two weeks, I enter a non-EU European nation that will let me in without a test if I can show a “Document” that states: date of each vaccine dose, manufacturer and batch number, my name, passport number, citizenship, date of birth and gender.

Relying on the term “Document” and the absence in the description of the term "government issued" I have secured a notarized affidavit that I did appear before the notary, identify myself with my passport no._________ that indicated I was a male US Citizen born ______ and that I did present a CDC Card (copy of which is part of the affidavit) that indicates that I had two doses of Pfizer, one on _____ and batch number _____ the other on _______ and that batch number ______

Naturally it will look very impressive with a seal and signature.

Then I have receipts from the hospital reaffirming the vaccinations and name and the original CDC card.

Will this work, no idea; but I will also get the PCR test so I am still covered (but I love a good challenge).

folks have already entered France, for example, with the CDC Covid vax cert.