Context: With the new vaccine passport system coming into effect across EU from July 1, the absence of Covishield from the list of EMA-approved vaccines can be of particular concern for Indians who hope to travel to European countries soon.

What is the ‘green pass’ which will ease travel restrictions across EU?

• The EU Digital Covid Certificate, which has been created to ensure that restrictions currently in place can be lifted in a coordinated manner, is a digital proof that a person has either been vaccinated against Covid-19, or received a negative test result, or recovered from the viral infection.
• The document is valid across all EU countries.
• The certificate includes information such as name, date of birth, date of issuance, the name of the vaccine or the details of the negative test result or recovery from Covid-19.
• National authorities are in charge of the programme and the document can be issued by test centres or health authorities, or directly via an eHealth portal.
• The certificate has a QR code which can be scanned and it is available in both digital and paper formats.
• The certificate contains a digital signature which is verified when the QR code is scanned.
• Each issuing body has its own digital signature key, all of which are stored in a secure database in each country.
• The European Commission has designed a gateway through which all the signatures can be verified across the EU.

Will the ‘green pass’ be absolutely compulsory for travel to EU?

• The “green pass” is expected to make the experience of travel hassle-free for people by doing away with restrictions, it is not absolutely compulsory.
• However, those who do not possess the certificate will be subject to the usual travel restrictions and quarantine rules which are in effect in every country.

What is India’s stand on ‘vaccine passports’?

• Though EU has made it clear that the “green pass” will not be compulsory, the issue has once again raked up the larger debate on concerns around privacy and ethics.
• The ‘vaccine passport’ has been largely touted to be a ticket back to normalcy, but it has given rise to larger concerns over intrusion, privacy and a curb on the right to free movement.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-eu-vaccine-passport-covishield-not-included-7381386/

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