The European Union is recommending a 9-month time limit for the validity of Covid-19 vaccinations for travel into and within the bloc and also is proposing to prioritize vaccinated travelers.
The European Commission is proposing that member states should continue welcoming all travelers inoculated with shots approved by the bloc, according to a document seen by Bloomberg.
It also called for countries to reopen as of Jan. 10 to all those who have used vaccines approved by the World Health Organization.
EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders announced on Thursday a new internal EU travel framework based more on individuals’ vaccination or recovery status than on caseloads in the countries they’re coming from.
A separate announcement on the external travel rules is scheduled for later Thursday.
The proposed updates introduce the new time limit for the validity of Covid inoculations, making clear that boosters will be needed beyond the 9-month period.
But the EU said it wasn’t ready to propose a validity period for certificates issued based on booster shots.
The commission is also proposing to extend its rules on the EU digital certificate beyond next summer, Reynders said.
EU governments are pushing for the bloc to smooth out differences in rules to help safeguard the ability to travel after governments have employed contrasting approaches to how long vaccinations should last and how to manage booster shots.
The commission offers recommendations that could be implemented by member nations.
Vaccinated and recovered travelers with an EU digital Covid certificate :
Countries across the EU are scrambling to counter the pandemic’s fourth wave with varying degrees of restrictions, against a backdrop of uneven vaccination rates.
Germany is considering compulsory shots for some vulnerable groups, Italy has imposed limits for unvaccinated people, and Denmark is considering mandating face masks in public transport.
Austria has restricted leisure travel as part of a three-week lockdown.
As the case numbers continue to rise across Europe, the EU’s executive arm is planning to discontinue its white list of countries from where all travelers are allowed regardless of vaccination status, as of March 1.
From that date on, vaccinated and recovered travelers with an EU digital Covid certificate, or an equivalent pass, would be able to enter the bloc.
The revised rules would also allow travel to the EU for children between 6 and 17 years old who have had a negative PCR test done before departure even if they’re not vaccinated.
EU countries could require additional testing after arrival, quarantine or self-isolation. The proposals will now go to the members states for approval.