In Europe, covid passports should be introduced for citizens who have had coronavirus, who have been vaccinated or who have passed a negative test for infection. This proposal was made by the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The corresponding video is posted on his Twitter -account.
Such a document, according to the head of the Austrian government, will allow free movement in the European Union (EU), in particular to travel, visit cultural events, restaurants or stay in hotels. “Specifically, this is a digital solution, that is, everyone should be able to verify their identity with a smartphone, thus living a relatively normal life,” explained Kurz. He recalled that a similar system operates in Israel.
He will bring this initiative up for discussion at the EU Council on Thursday, February 25. The Austrian Chancellor spoke with colleagues who promised to support the plan. If this proposal is not supported at the EU level, Kurz intends to implement it in Austria and invite neighboring countries to participate.
The country’s Chancellor added that he considers it realistic to return to normal life amid the pandemic this summer.
Earlier, Michael Ryan, Director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Program, praised the idea of introducing travel covid passports amid the spread of COVID-19. He drew attention to the fact that there is still not enough data on the impact of vaccines on the spread of coronavirus. In addition, immunity certificates are not recommended as required for international travel at this time.