The proposal is based on the EU's digital Covid certificate, which will come into effect on 1 July and applies to travel within the EU.
”"We propose that member states coordinate how to gradually lift restrictions on free movement," Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said at a press conference.
”Recent weeks have shown a steady downward trend in the spread of infection, which demonstrates the progress of the vaccination campaign in the EU,” he continued.
On May 20, negotiators from EU countries and the European Parliament agreed on the design of the Covid certificate.
It should include information about vaccination, testing, and recovery from the disease.
On Monday, the Commission proposed that fully vaccinated people with a Covid certificate should be exempt from quarantine or testing 14 days after the last vaccine dose.
EU countries can choose to lift entry restrictions after just one dose, said Didier Reynders.
People who have recovered should be exempt from quarantine and testing 180 days after a positive PCR test.
Furthermore, PCR tests should be valid for 72 hours and rapid antigen tests for 48 hours.
”We urge EU countries to use the Covid certificate in other contexts, such as access to restaurants and events,” said Didier Reynders.
Families should be treated as a unit. Children under the age of 6 should be exempt from testing. Minors should be exempt from quarantine if their parents are exempt.
The Commission also proposed simplifying the EU's traffic light system for the spread of infection in different areas of the EU.
• Travelers from green areas should not be subject to any entry restrictions.
• Travelers from orange areas may be required to take a test.
• Travelers from red areas may be forced into quarantine if they have not tested negative before departure.
• Travelers from dark red areas may be advised to refrain from non-essential travel. Testing and quarantine requirements remain.
The Commission's proposals are recommendations. EU countries must take a position on the proposal, but ultimately it is up to the countries themselves to decide whether to follow the EU's recommendations.
Source: Nyhetsbyrån Direkt
