In an effort to open travel and jumpstart the economy, The European Union on Wednesday launched a program to create a joint vaccination passport for its more than 440 million citizens and residents, a plan that could potentially be duplicated elsewhere in the world.
The “digital green certificates” are expected to be ready by June, according to a Washington Post report, which boost hotel business for the crucial summer season. The passes are expected to be digital or paper documents for travelers to prove that they have been vaccinated, that they recovered from the virus or recently tested negative for COVID-19.
However, Europe’s two most populous countries — France and Germany — have approached the plans with more caution, which could still derail them as they require the approval of the European Parliament and of member states.
The program could thereafter apply to Americans or British citizens traveling to continental Europe, given that all vaccines approved in the two countries are also approved for use in the European Union. Greece, Cyprus and several other E.U. countries already plan to allow British travelers back in within months.
At the moment, European Union borders remain closed to most Americans — even those who are vaccinated. Due to the rise of coronavirus variants, it is believed that the easing of this restriction is not going to happen in the near term.