{"id":23160,"date":"2021-05-27T08:21:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-27T06:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-oldwebsite.igcat.org\/?p=23160"},"modified":"2021-05-27T08:21:04","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T06:21:04","slug":"europes-travel-tourism-sector-welcomes-the-eu-digital-covid-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test-oldwebsite.igcat.org\/es\/europes-travel-tourism-sector-welcomes-the-eu-digital-covid-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe\u2019s travel & tourism sector welcomes the \u201cEU Digital Covid Certificate\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Tourism Manifesto alliance of more than 60 travel and tourism organisations warmly welcomes the adoption of the \u201cEU Digital COVID Certificate\u201d Regulation. The Alliance calls on Member States to ensure swift implementation before July to support the restart of the sector in time for the vital summer season, and to restore freedom of movement within the EU and Schengen Area.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Less than three months after the publication of the\u00a0Commission\u2019s proposal<\/a>, the European Parliament\u2019s LIBE committee and the Council have approved the Regulation on \u201cEU Digital COVID Certificate\u201d. The Alliance recognises this is both positive and necessary to restore freedom of movement: a fundamental principle and one of Europe\u2019s greatest achievements. This tool will greatly facilitate cross-border travel, also allowing Europeans\u00a0 to \u00a0reconnect with families and friends and do business in person after months of lockdowns and restrictions.<\/p>\n

As a common EU instrument, the \u201cDigital COVID Certificate\u201d (DCC) will provide convenient proof that the holder has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from the virus, or received a negative test result.<\/p>\n

The Alliance urges Member States to ensure swift and effective implementation of the Certificate by 1st<\/sup>\u00a0July 2021 at the latest, and refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on certificate holders (testing or quarantine), in line with the agreement reached between the EU Institutions. The travel and tourism stakeholders stress that any delay will undermine the chances of a successful recovery: sectoral resilience is at its limit.<\/p>\n

Re-opening is justified by the latest\u00a0ECDC data<\/a>\u00a0on the epidemiological situation: the COVID-19 third wave is receding throughout Europe. The vaccination roll-out is accelerating:\u00a046% of adults<\/a>\u00a0in the EU had received their first dose as of 25th<\/sup>\u00a0May, ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected.<\/p>\n

The Alliance also welcomes the EU Institutions\u2019 agreement to make \u20ac100m available from the Emergency Support Instrument, allowing Member States to purchase COVID-19 tests. These should be made \u201caffordable and accessible\u201d to all travellers, and thereby minimise the risk of economic discrimination.<\/p>\n

In its latest\u00a0Communication on the industrial strategy<\/a>, the European Commission recognised that travel and tourism was the sector \u201chardest hit\u201d and that recovery would also be slow for transport. While the Alliance is confident that the DCC will support reopening, to increase the chance of success, urgent agreement and coordination among Member States is still required on the following:<\/p>\n