European travel association Etoa has warned EU fragmentation on policy towards travel remains “endemic” despite the launch of the EU Digital Covid Certificate on July 1.
Etoa slammed the lack of coordination as “highly problematic” in a communication to members, saying it would delay Europe’s re-opening despite countries opening up and the likely mutual recognition of Covid certification schemes between the EU and UK.
It warned: “Progress remains too little and too late for many international visitors this summer.
“National competence prevails on travel restrictions, health credentials and their verification, and the continued lack of coordination remains highly problematic.”
Etoa noted the EU recommended in May that member states admit fully vaccinated third-country nationals “yet in the past week the European Council discussed imposing blanket quarantine on UK outbound [visitors] irrespective of vaccination status”.
It argued: “There is still scant information about how, when and under what conditions a genuine return to border-free travel within the EU will take place.
“Some EU countries intend to conduct extensive checks on arrival, others not. Entry requirements related to vaccination status vary [and] the inevitable need for manual verification of credentials will cause delays.
“While the EU Covid Certificate is now operational, the prospects for long queues at airports worsen.
“To add to the complexity, at least 10 different verification apps are in use or under development. There is no central coordination.”
Etoa told members: “It proved impossible to agree to incorporate an EU-wide verification app within the EU certificate legislation without causing delay.”
As a result, some apps allow airport check-in staff to check the validity of health credentials. Some also validate whether the health credentials meet destination requirements, but others do not despite this being a pre-condition for boarding.
Etoa also noted that physical and logistical constraints at ports and stations “mean they cannot impose the same level of control as airports” and warned “long delays are inevitable where each occupant of a vehicle must leave to present credentials individually”.
It concluded: “Fragmentation in public policy affecting international mobility is endemic.”
The EU Digital Covid Certificate exempts holders from restrictions such as quarantine, but not Covid-test requirements. It covers vaccination, test results and recovery from infection.
Member states are required to refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on holders. However, it does allow restrictions if “necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health”.
EU president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the introduction of the certificate saying: “In March, we promised to have an EU-wide system to facilitate free and safe travel within the EU by the summer holidays. Now we can confirm that the EU Digital Covid Certificate system is up and running.”