Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 3 December 2021
94. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the certificate of recovery from six to nine months to reflect HIQA’s latest advice to NPHET to extend the period of presumptive immunity from six to nine months post-infection; and if not, the reason a certificate of recovery and immunity only lasts for six months when studies show that the period of immunity lasts for nine months. [59765/21]
View answerThe EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation creates a framework for the issuing, authentication, and validity of certificates to facilitate the safe and free movement across the EU during pandemic. Certificates are proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result, or recovered from COVID-19.
This initiative has been adopted by countries around the world confirming its status as a robust international standard for COVID certification. To date 24 third countries have joined the initiative and a further 32 are in the process of joining. This demonstrates how Europe can set global standards through decisive and coordinated action.
The Irish Government has successfully delivered the EU Digital COVID Certificate to the Irish public. To date over 4.5 million certificates have issued nationally, and over 25,000 have issued to Irish diaspora. With over 600 million certificates issued internationally by EU Member States this initiative is fundamental to enabling safe international travel.
The wide implementation of this tool for accessing indoor hospitality and services has supported the reopening of our economy and society nationally.
The scope and parameters for issuing the Certificates has been agreed at EU level and is standardized to allow for complete interoperability. Currently the agreed maximum validity date for Recovery Certificates is 180 days after the date of a positive PCR test result, as set out in the EU Regulation. Where necessary, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to update the EU Regulation in light of scientific progress. To date the EU Regulation has not been amended to alter the validity period on recovery certificates.
