Digital COVID Certificate: 9 countries already issue it, France welcomes those in possession

The data relating to the spread of the infection is improving throughout Europe, the vaccination campaign is advancing and the discussions on the various regulations to allow a “free” movement of people continue. But the pace is always a bit limp. The European Parliament has in fact given the green light to the Digital COVID Certificate, which however still sets quite important limits and which will only come into force on the July 1st. Also in Italy there is talk of “green” certification, which despite being a little less restrictive than the European one has not yet translated into reality. Nor is it clear what it can be used for in a country that is about to no longer have inland areas with travel restrictions.

In the meantime, however, tourists have to deal with what it takes to be able to move without the risk of running into improper quarantines. The Digital COVID Certificate, in fact, will be valid only for those who have completed the vaccination cycle for at least 14 days (and for many European citizens this will not be possible before the end of the summer), or who have recovered from Covid for less than 6 months or are able to have a negative Covid test. Despite this, member states will be able to impose further restrictive measures in particular cases, such as the emergence of a new variant of the virus.

All this leaves wide margins of uncertainty, partially mitigated by the choice of 9 European countries that have decided to anticipate the introduction of the certificate: Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic. According to the EU Commission, this already allows over a million European citizens to be in possession of the document. Meanwhile, France has decided to admit them immediately, without the need for a Covid test, and has moved the curfew to 11 pm. In addition, the presence of customers has also been readmitted in bars and restaurants, with a maximum of 6 people per table, and cultural venues, gyms and fairs have been reopened.