European Tourism Manifesto Wants Covid Pass to Include All Vaccines

EU Digital COVID Certificate. Photo source: @European Commission / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe

The European Tourism Manifesto alliance is calling on the Commission to adapt its EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) regulation so it includes all Covid-19 vaccines that have completed the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listing procedure.

This, it said, would further support the recovery of the tourism sector in the EU and instill a sense of confidence in non-EU travelers.  

The alliance said on Thursday that it welcomed the Commission’s proposal that amends and extends the use of the digital Covid certificate to facilitate free movement during and in the aftermath of the pandemic but expressed concerns about certificate coverage, equality  and inclusiveness. 

According to the alliance, there are 35 non-EU countries and territories currently connected to the EUDCC system, with more expected to join in the future.

“We believe that a more ambitious approach is needed to fulfil and enhance the role of the EUDCC as one of the key digital solutions to restore international mobility and the de-facto global standard,” said the alliance in a statement.

The European Tourism Manifesto goes on to note that the current EUDCC regulation and Commission proposal do not cover most of the vaccines that are currently administered around the world, including those that have completed the WHO emergency use listing procedure. 

The association adds that the regulation has “limited scope” and is “also creating vaccine inequalities among EU citizens” as  a number of EU states are already administering vaccines that are not mentioned by the regulation. 

Additionally it says that people who chose a non-EMA or WHO-approved vaccine should still have a fully accepted digital pass if they decide to get a booster vaccination with an authorized vaccine.

The alliance stresses that it is vital national rules reflect border and travel requirements, and that the EU digital certificate is implemented consistently. It is calling on member states to accept at a national level all the vaccination certificates accepted at the border. 

Photo source: World Health Organization (WHO)

Lastly, the alliance notes that the use of the digital Covid certificate should be discontinued as soon as there is clear indication that the Covid virus has reached a manageable level of transmission that does not result in severe impact on public health.

The European Tourism Manifesto alliance represents more than 70 public and private travel and tourism organizations, including ACI Europe, CLIA Europe, ECTAA, ETC, Europa Nostra, HOTREC, FEG and the WTTC.