More than one million Europeans have received the new European Union Covid health certificate, say reports.
The Guardian and Telegraph said that EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders announced the figure on Tuesday (June 8).
The certificate shows the holder’s immunity to Covid-19 either through vaccination or previous infection, or a negative test.
It can be used for intra-EU travel from July 1 but the European Commission wants as many EU countries as possible to start earlier.
The Guardian reported that Reynders said: “The more certificates we can already issue, the easier the process will be during the summer – otherwise, we risk a big bang on the first of July, which we cannot afford.”
Nine EU countries are said to be already issuing the documents, which can be presented either online or on paper.
Speaking to MEPs during a European Parliament debate on Tuesday, Reynders said: “The certificate, which will be free of charge, will be issued by all member states and will have to be accepted across Europe. It will contribute to a gradual lifting of restrictions.”
The MEPs will vote on the EU Covid Certificate on Tuesday evening.
More: Travel groups urge rapid adoption of EU Digital Covid Certificate