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EU leaders take up call for 'vax passport'

 

The idea of a 'vaccine passport' that would provide a reliable vaccine or testing credential for travelers is now gaining support from European governments, who increasingly see it as a key piece to restoring travel, business and tourism.

With strong endorsements from, among others, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Austrian counterpart Sebastien Kurz, it appears that the project is truly underway. According to Merkel, reporting on conversation with all 26 other EU countries at a virtual summit, "Everyone agreed that we need a digital vaccination certificate. This will make traveling within the EU possible and could pave the way for further travel from third countries in to the EU."

That last could mean good news for travelers from the U.S., who are currently barred from all but essential travel to Europe, and for UK travelers who are no longer Europeans and are subject to restrictions. However, Merkel warned, it's too soon to start making reservations; it will take an estimated three months to design and implement a system.

Up to now, most of the pressure for a digitally checkable record based on government records has come from airlines and other travel industry stakeholders, including the International Air Transport Association, which has built an app that could be adapted or adopted by governments and other authorities. Other developers are also in the field; it is possible that one or more of them might become the basis of the EU effort.

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

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