A vaccine passport scheme being called the 'Digital Green Pass' was announced to be in the works in an effort to save the dying travel and tourism industries that suffered a huge blow amid the rise of the coronavirus.
Discover our latest podcast
Saving a dying industry
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the scheme would take effect this summer and could potentially include non-EU countries as well:
The Digital Green Pass should facilitate Europeans' lives. The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the EU or abroad for work or tourism.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said the plan could be set in motion as early as June just in time for people to enjoy summer holidays. The Digital Green Pass will not absolutely necessitate a proof of vaccine but rather would allow those who have not received the jab to travel provided that they can prove their negative status with a test.
A glimpse of hope for UK travellers?
Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, explained that the UK is working with international partners to facilitate tourism for Brits as soon as possible:
The EU is part of those discussions, as are several other countries around the world, and it's obviously important work.
And added:
In a sense, this already exists because you need to have a test before you can travel to the UK and, as far as I understand it from the details set out today, the EU proposal is that certification includes both whether you've had the vaccine and also whether you've recently had a test for those who can't get vaccinated yet.
The UK will have to keep its daily infection rate numbers low for the next few months until the technology becomes available for EU countries to officiate an agreement.
