Filenews 10 May 2021 - by Theano Thiopoulou
Relaxes will take effect from today as the first de-escalation plan of the restrictive measures comes into force. Cyprus, together with other countries, implement or will apply their own vaccination certificates for the movement of citizens. The Ministry of Health has taken the decision to provide a safe pass to go to specific sites. In the next few weeks it is expected to be implemented in electronic form and will, according to the Government, be a temporary measure aimed at the safe movement of citizens. A similar strategy has been adopted by very few countries, wanting to implement their own vaccination certificates for movements within the country, which is not related to the green pass that Europe is preparing and concerns movements outside a country's borders.
A country, which is not European, in which a passport or certificate already operates is Israel. It has the highest vaccination rate in the world, with more than half of the population having already received two doses. A Green Pass is available to anyone who has been fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.
To access hotels, gyms or theatres, people need to show their card. It is available as a printed certificate or in an application that connects users with their ministry of health data. The app can be used for international travel and Israel has concluded agreements with Greece and Cyprus to allow its citizens with vaccination passports to travel to these two countries.On 21 January, Iceland provided Covid-19 vaccination certificates to its citizens who received two doses of the vaccine. Spain is also optimistic and supports the idea of a health passport. The Portuguese interior minister has also said issuing vaccination passports would be easier than implementing anti-pandemic prohibition measures.
Denmark has outlined its plans on how to use coronapass internally as a key part of easing restrictions. It could also be used for international travel. Most restrictions are expected to be lifted by May 21, once all high-risk groups and over-50s are fully vaccinated. Under the plans, the public would have to show proof of vaccination, proof of previous infection or a recent negative test for access to services such as hairdressers, restaurants and cinemas.
In three stages, the vaccination certificate is to enter into force in Austria, which in order to ensure one will have to have a covid test result, a certificate of recovery from the coronavirus or an entry in his vaccination booklet. The first step is expected to take place on 19 May and will initially be a written vaccination certificate or a negative test or recovery. A certificate is expected to be applied at national level for all three cases, accompanied by a common QR code.
Poland also released a digital vaccine passport. Citizens receiving two doses of the vaccine receive a confirmation document with a unique QR code, which is available from the traveller's personal health account.
Estonia, one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world, plans to start issuing digital vaccination certificates.
The vaccination passport in Britain is under consideration to allow entry to pubs and dining areas.
