The European Council has today adopted a recommendation on a coordinated approach to facilitate safe free movement during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the European Council: “This recommendation responds to the significant increase in vaccine uptake and the rapid roll-out of the EU digital Covid-19 certificate, and replaces the previously existing recommendation. It will enter into force on 1 February 2022, on the same day as a delegated act amending the digital Covid-19 certificate regulation and providing for an acceptance period of 270 days for vaccination certificates”.

New recommendations

Under the new recommendation “Covid-19 measures should be applied taking into account the status of the person instead of the situation at regional level, with the exception of areas where the virus is circulating at very high levels. This means that a traveller’s Covid-19 vaccination, test or recovery status, as evidenced by a valid EU digital Covid-19 certificate, should be the key determinant.

“A person-based approach will substantially simplify the applicable rules and will provide additional clarity and predictability to travellers”.

The European Council outlines that a valid EU digital Covid-19 certificate includes:

- A vaccination certificate for a vaccine approved at European level if at least 14 days and no more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of the primary vaccination series or if the person has received a booster dose. Member states could also accept vaccination certificates for vaccines approved by national authorities or the WHO.

- A negative PCR test result obtained no more than 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test obtained no more than 24 hours before travel.

- A certificate of recovery indicating that no more than 180 days have passed since the date of the first positive test result.

The statement highlights that anyone who is not in possession of an EU digital Covid-19 certificate could be required to undergo a test prior to or no later than 24 hours after arrival. Travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under 12 should be exempt from this requirement.

Map of EU regions

The statement continues to explain that: “The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) should continue to publish a map of member states’ regions indicating the potential risk of infection according to a traffic light system (green, orange, red, dark red). The map should be based on the 14-day case notification rate, vaccine uptake and testing rate.

“Based on this map, member states should apply measures regarding travel to and from dark red areas, where the virus is circulating at very high levels. They should in particular discourage all non-essential travel and require persons arriving from those areas who are not in possession of a vaccination or recovery certificate to undergo a test prior to departure and to quarantine after arrival”.

Emergency brake

“Under the new recommendation, the emergency brake to respond to the emergence of new variants of concern or interest is strengthened. When a member state imposes restrictions in response to the emergence of a new variant, the Council, in close cooperation with the Commission and supported by the ECDC, should review the situation. The Commission, based on the regular assessment of new evidence on variants, may also suggest a discussion within the Council.

During the discussion, the Commission could propose that the Council agree on a coordinated approach regarding travel from the areas concerned. Any situation resulting in the adoption of measures should be reviewed regularly”.

Not legally binding

Finally, it is highlighted that this is merely a recommendation and is not legally binding in any of the member states as they still remain responsible for implementing the content of the recommendation.

The Portuguese government is yet to comment if they will be adopting these latest recommendations.


Author

Originally from the UK, Daisy has been living and working in Portugal for more than 20 years. She has worked in PR, marketing and journalism, and has been the editor of The Portugal News since 2019. Jornalista 7920

Daisy Sampson