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Malta pushes for EU-wide vaccination certificate
Malta is pushing for EU-wide cooperation, in terms of the issuing of an inoculation certificate for those who get the COVID-19 vaccination.
The Mediterranean country of Greece made the same call just two days ago as the country, which is also rather heavily reliant on tourism, seeks to make travelling easier. It is expected that the issue will appear on the next European Council meeting’s agenda and it is hoped that the certificate will avoid the need for travellers to be held in quarantine.
Countries in Europe began the vaccination process on 27 December, with rollouts in all countries being primarily focused on frontline workers, the vulnerable and the elderly. As more doses become available, however, countries have also started looking ahead and making concrete plans for when the vaccine would be available for the rest of the populations.
What exactly is a vaccination certificate?
In essence, a vaccination certificate is an official document, which states that the person in question has indeed been inoculated against COVID-19, in this case. In principle, the person will be given more freedom to travel and socialise, whilst simultaneously avoiding the quarantine requirement.
Health Minister Chris Fearne has asked for EU-wide cooperation and for an early decision to “standardise and to consider issuing a vaccine certificate to facilitate travel and tourism between member states,” until widespread herd immunity is achieved.
Back in December 2020, Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci said that the country’s health database already includes a feature for this purpose, and that authorities were already investigating ways to make the certificate secure and digital. The next step would involve a decision at the EU level, which would result in one official document, recognised by all.
What are your thoughts on the vaccination certificate?
