The freedom to travel is within reach after the European agreement on a temporary “EU Digital COVID Certificate”

“Restarting the economy and opening our borders in a controlled and safe manner are of vital importance for the health and prosperity of Flemings. In addition, a normal holiday will again be possible for everyone. A good temporary solution, then,” MEP Assita Kanko says.

An agreement has been reached in record time between the Council and the European Parliament on the European Commission’s proposal to introduce an “EU Digital COVID Certificate” for all citizens to enable the freedom to travel within Europe again, to restart the economy and to reopen tourism. The EU Digital Certificate will be available from 1 July.

A temporary but necessary path to more freedom

MEP Assita Kanko, also a member of the competent Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE), evaluates the agreement: “Anyone who has been vaccinated, tested negatively or has immunity after recovering from a COVID-19 infection, can take part in normal life again and travel in Europe from 1 July, in principle without obstacles. This is a temporary, but necessary, path to more freedom and more economic growth.”

Good news for export region Flanders

Travel was often already possible. What is new is that in principle no additional measures are being taken, such as a quarantine obligation. However, the Member States are free to take additional measures. “Flanders is one of the most open economies in the world. We are an export region par excellence, which is already losing a lot of turnover because of Brexit. That is why this agreement is very important. In addition, our tourism sector can also use some support. There will also be an end to the suffering of people who have not been able to visit family or friends for so long.”

No free PCR tests

The certificate will be available digitally and on paper and will contain a unique QR code. It is free and easily available, the European Commission promises. The European Parliament certainly did not get everything it asked for, Assita Kanko explained. “There are no free PCR tests for everyone, although EUR 100 million in European money is being made available for the purchase of tests for people who often have to cross the border for work or personal reasons. Important points for the N-VA, such as respect for EU privacy legislation, can be found in the agreement. The Member States also still retain the freedom to take additional measures, such as quarantine, if they are concerned about new COVID-19 variants.”

Citizens’ rights must take priority

The free movement of persons is one of the basic freedoms on which the European Union is built. Assita Kanko believes it was badly compromised by the pandemic. “This will hopefully lead to the end of this myriad of travel restrictions. That is what we in the European Parliament and the N-VA have been working for from the very beginning: the rights of citizens must always take priority. In the coming weeks, we will be watching carefully to ensure that this can safely become a reality: citizens can once again maintain their foreign ties. Companies can continue to develop internationally again. “Union” as in the ‘European Union’ refers to connecting: with travel and personal contacts, it is a lot easier to make this a reality.”