EU proposes Digital Green Certificate as UK mulls COVID-19 vaccine passport

The EU Commission is proposing to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate free movement inside the bloc while the UK is considering implementing a COVID-19 vaccine passport system to reopen access to international travel and leisure activities.

The certificate will be proof that a person has been vaccinated, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19.

READ: Carnival touts “very special” UK staycation cruises as Alaska voyages put on hold

It will be available, free of charge, in digital or paper format and will include a QR code to ensure security and authenticity. 

Member States remain responsible to decide what restrictions to lift for travellers.

In the UK, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the BBC that ministers are “having conversations all the time about what the best steps should be.”

“What we are focussed on at the moment is making sure that we hit those dates and that we can reopen [the economy],” he said.

“Once we’ve reopened the economy I’m sure we’ll be looking at other measures to keep people safe.”

Earlier on Wednesday, () announced new cruises around the UK by its P&O arm that will only be available only to vaccinated customers who are residents in Britain.

Similarly, competitor Saga plc () stated in January it would only admit vaccinated passengers on its ships.

Last month, Boris Johnson said the UK government will undertake a review into the use of the use of Covid-status certificates for entry into venues such as night clubs and theatres.

Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will lead the review said Johnson and report back before 21 June, when the government hopes to be able to lift restrictions on nightclubs and other venues re-opening.

(), whose blockchain technology is used to store COVID-19 test results as a ‘passport’ on secure apps, rose 4% to 3.43p at midday.

Carnival and Saga, instead, shed 2% to 1,705.5p and 370.67p respectively.

–Adds EU news–