admin As the pandemic restrictions on travel start easing, new rays of hope have emerged. Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne has shared his optimism for international travel this coming summer thanks to the EU’s digital green certificate scheme.
Details about the Green Certificates
EU officials are currently negotiating the travel scheme, which would allow for open travel across Europe for those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 or for those who have tested negative or recovered from the illness. If approved, the digital green certificate would allow for tourism industries across the continent to benefit from international holidaymakers this summer after more than a year of travel restrictions.
Minister Byrne said: ‘I’m very optimistic, and I can tell you that you will be able to travel at some point, but I wouldn’t be booking yet something that’s non-refundable, because the situation is still uncertain.’Urging that there are still certain risks attached to international travel, he added: ‘This certificate is not going to guarantee that you’re not going to catch COVID while abroad, which would present a pretty difficult situation for you, but you will be able to travel. The only question is when.
Negotiating the Certificate Scheme
‘The Digital Green Cert is currently being negotiated in Brussels at a political-legal level, but also at a technical level to make sure the thing works. There’s pilot schemes already happening and we’ll be part of that. We’re working with our European neighbors to put the technology in place.’ Once EU officials reach an agreement on the scheme, each EU country will have six weeks to implement the scheme, though leaders are hoping to get it up and running by June. Minister Byrne also commented that those planning to travel abroad with children may be affected, as some EU member states will require negative PCR tests for those under the age of 12 before entry.
‘There are rules about PCR testing, so, for example the Netherlands don’t test under 12’s, Portugal don’t test under 2’s. So the rules are varied in different countries. Those rules could change for the worse or for the better,’ said the Minister.However, he added that if Ireland’s case figures go down, the country would earn a green light on the international traffic light system, meaning ‘the requirements would become much less. If we can get the numbers down, we put ourselves — all of us — in a better position for this.’
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