Life seems to be getting better! Coronavirus incidence figures both in the Netherlands and throughout Europe are relentlessly creeping downward, a large number of the population has been vaccinated, many of the restrictions associated with the pandemic are gradually being lifted, and we are entering a normal life.
What's ahead, well, just a little more, and..? Well, of course, vacation! And there is no longer a ban on visiting other countries, you just need to carefully look at what zone they are in - after all, it is better to choose countries with the least risk for travel.
For the countries of the Eurozone this summer, 2021, it is planned to make another gift that simplifies movement within the European Union - to implement the Covid-19 Digital Certificate. (Digital crown certified - DCC)... It will confirm a negative test, vaccination, or corona recovery and can be used in all EU member states.
However, at the moment, the member states of the Eurozone still have different ideas about how this digital certificate should function.
So, some states want to DCC was issued no earlier than 14 days after vaccination, since only then is the protection against the virus considered optimal. But this will mean that you cannot go on vacation immediately after vaccination, or that in any case, you will need to take the Corona test.
The Netherlands will insist that vaccination provides almost immediate access to the EU countries, all vaccines have been adopted, and all EU countries will necessarily agree on whether one vaccination is enough for the trip.
According to current regulations, a country becomes “green” (ie safe from the Corona virus) only if there are fewer than 100 infections per 000 inhabitants. The Netherlands wants to raise this limit to 25 per 75 inhabitants. Now in our country there are about 100 cases of infection per 000 inhabitants, but this number is rapidly decreasing. The government also believes that the border should be raised for the "orange" zones.
In addition, there is also no consensus among EU countries on the validity periods of Corona tests and on the minimum age for testing. According to the existing criteria, only children under 6 years old do not need to be tested, while the Netherlands proposes that children under the age of 12 should be exempted from compulsory tests for the virus.
But, despite all the disagreements listed above, the certificates DCC more than a million people are already in test mode in Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Spain and the Czech Republic. The remaining 18 Eurozone countries begin a little later, and all preparatory work is scheduled to be completed by July 1.
In the Netherlands DCC will be part of the Corona Verification Application (Corona Check-app), which will contain two QR codes:
- one is for use in the Netherlands, for example, to gain access to certain activities or services, and this code can already be used in test mode from June 5, 2021, and in final mode from June 23;
- the other is for international (outside the Netherlands) use, which will contain more personal data, and technical training and work is underway to keep it confidential and secure.
application Corona Check will enable residents of the Netherlands to digitally reflect their status in relation to the coronavirus. And if the screen turns green after reading the QR code, it means one of three things:
- you recently took a test (usually - PCR-test), and its result was negative (you can see about this in more detail here и here), or;
- you are fully vaccinated against the Corona, or;
- you have been cured of the Corona in the last 6 months.
In other words, vaccination will not be the only and prerequisite for travel within the European Union. DCC will also be possible with a negative test result or proof of recovery from the virus.
In principle, anyone with such a certificate can travel freely within the Eurozone. EU countries can introduce additional requirements only if it is necessary for the general epidemiological situation, for example, in the event of an outbreak of a new variant of the virus, if it is threatening, etc.
But, at the same time, the countries of Europe at the moment decide for themselves which of the above proofs are required when entering each country and on what conditions. For example, what types of tests are accepted and how old they are. Other measures, such as quarantine for travelers, are also determined by each EU member state.
If you have been vaccinated, then request this information to be reflected in DCC you can by yourself through the application Corona Check-app or directly https://www.izakayasushilounge.com Corona Check.
This can be done in two ways.
1.When logging in DCC through DigiD via an app or website, and the data is automatically retrieved from the registration systems:
- RIVM (if you have given permission to do so);
- GGD;
- hospitals.
2.If your vaccination details are listed in another registration system, for example with your GP, then a different way of requesting data will be developed. There is no information yet about how exactly this will happen - this issue is currently being finalized. This also applies to those vaccinated abroad.
And once again about security. According to the developers, your data in CoronaCheck app are not stored centrally - everything happens only on your own phone or computer.
* * *
According to planned agreements this week on Tuesday, EU ministers will meet in Luxembourg to adopt the Regulation on Digital Corona Certificate... After that, the Dutch parliament must approve the amendment to the Law, and this must be done until the moment when the scheme with DCC from July 1 should come into force.
We keep our finger on the pulse of events, and we really hope that thanks to these and other innovations, we will finally have more and more opportunities to meet our clients from other countries in Europe, and in the future - from beyond its borders too .
Publication Date: 14.06.2021
