It will be a A new stage in the slow standardisation of travel within the European Union. On 25 January, the Council of the European Union adopted a new recommendation. The aim is to ensure a coordinated approach to the free movement of people during the Covid period. This recommendation is in response to the increase in vaccination coverage and the rapid deployment of the EU's digital Covid certificate.
This recommendation officially comes into force on 1er February 2022 and replaces a previous recommendation. At the same time, the measure fixing the validity of a vaccination certificate at 270 days comes into force.
Under this new recommendation, Covid-19 management measures should be applied on the basis of the individual's status, rather than the regional situation, with the exception of areas where the virus is circulating at very high levels. To put it plainly: the vaccinated, tested or reinstated status takes precedence over the origin of the European traveller. The EU's Covid digital certificate attests to this status. A people-based approach should considerably simplify the applicable rules and provide greater clarity and predictability for travellers.
A people-based approach
According to the European CouncilAs a result, travellers with a valid Covid digital certificate should not be subject to any additional restrictions on free movement.
A valid EU digital COVID certificate includes:
- a vaccination certificate for a vaccine approved at European level. Less than 14 days and not more than 270 days have elapsed since the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule or if the person has received a booster dose. Member States may also accept vaccination certificates for vaccines approved by national authorities or the WHO;
- a negative result a PCR test, obtained no more than 72 hours before travel. Or a rapid antigen test, obtained no more than 24 hours before travel;
- a certificate of recovery indicating that less than 180 days have elapsed since the date of the first positive result.
The people without a Covid digital certificate could undergo a screening test before arrival or up to 24 hours after arrival. Certain travellers (essential needs or border workers) should be exempt from this requirement.
The map of contamination in EU regions remains unchanged
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) should continue to publish a map of the potential risk of infection for EU regions. This map will continue to use a traffic light system (green, amber, red, dark red). The criteria are the 14-day case notification rate, vaccination coverage and screening rate..
On the basis of this map, Member States would apply specific measures for travel to and from areas classified as "dark red". Where the virus is circulating at very high levels. In particular, they should discourage all non-essential travel. People arriving from these areas without a vaccination or recovery certificate should undergo a pre-departure test or be quarantined on arrival..
Emergency brake
The new recommendation also strengthens the "emergency brake" procedure. The latter is intended to deal with the emergence of new variants of concern or variants to be monitored. The Council, in coordination with the Commission and the ECDC, should re-examine any situation if a Member State imposes new restrictions. On the basis of a regular review of new data on variants, the Commission could also propose that the Council hold a discussion.
However, this opinion is only advisory. Each country is free to apply the health restrictions it deems necessary. But the Council believes that coordination on this issue is essential. In October 2020, the Council had already adopted a recommendation on a coordinated approach to free movement.
