CORONAVIRUS
Greece, 6 Others Launch EU Vaccination Certificate System
Jun 1, 2021, 8:15 AM
A scene from a local cafe of the main port area on May 17, 2021, in Patmos, Greece. Restrictive travel rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic have suppressed tourism to Greece for a second year, but as the vaccination effort progresses here and elsewhere in Europe, the hospitality industry is making plans for the return of visitors. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece and six other European Union member states on Tuesday are introducing a vaccination certificate system, ahead of the rollout of the program across the bloc on July 1.
The other countries are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Croatia, and Poland, according to the European Commission.
Greece has been pressing for the commonly-recognized certificate that will use a QR code with advanced security features, and the idea was originally put forward by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Greece’s digital governance minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, said easier travel will open up within the EU as member states adopt the new verification standard.
The new certificate will be available to people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, have a recent negative test result or have recovered from a coronavirus infection.
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