Covid-19 Pandemic

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (2045, 2185)

Seán Crowe

Question:

2045. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health when he expects the EU Digital COVID Certificate to come into effect. [36346/21]

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2185. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the EU Digital COVID Certificate will be rolled out by the 19 July 2021 target date; the way in which persons who have been vaccinated can obtain the certificate; the reason the certificate has not been made available since 1 July 2021 in line with other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36873/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2045 and 2185 together.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation, which became directly applicable to EU member states on 1 July 2021, is designed to facilitate safe free movement of citizens in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Certificates issued under this Regulation hold digital proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result, or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. It is valid in all EU Member States, including Ireland, EEA states and third countries recognised under an EU implementing act.

It should be noted that while the Regulation aims to facilitate free movement the EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document and the possession of an EU Digital COVID Certificate will not be a precondition to exercise free movement rights. Travellers who do not have a Digital COVID Certificate can provide other verifiable forms of proof of vaccination, or a valid negative test under the current travel measures. Certificates based on vaccination and recovery are now being issued. Certificates based on negative tests for travel within the EU can be obtained from private testing services signed up to the Digital Covid Test Certificate Service.