The European Union Launches COVID-19 Passport or the GreeN Pass App

By Susan Sherren for  Couture Trips
Published 7/6/21 10:03 PM CST

European Union Countries Participating in the Green Pass App Program

The European Union rolled out their "Green Pass smartphone App on July 1st, 2021. The overall goal is to streamlines travel and diminish the number of minutes travellers will stand in lines presenting their COVID related documents.
 Participants include the 27 EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The U.S. has yet to establish a universal app like the EU one for its citizens. The vaccine and health passport concept still is a hotly debated topic. However, if you desire to jump over the Atlantic pond, you will have to show proof of prior illness and have signed documents from your physician, be vaccinated or present a negative PCR Covid test. The CDC is still reluctant to endorse travel to Europe this summer and currently has rated the EU a three on its risk scale. 
 
 "We need to reconnect people and societies safely," said Ivan Bassato, the chief aviation officer for Rome's airports. "People don't travel only for holidays. They travel to meet parents that they haven't seen in more than a year. During a pandemic, we need to ensure as an industry that it's done safely."The Green Pass, said Bassato, "is a very smart, safe tool to ensure that these conditions are observed." 

The Green Pass is a safe way to store your documents while your travelling throughout the EU and, at some point, will be used as a ticket into concert venues, museums and stadiums. 
 
 The Green Pass App is not mandatory, and the information you provide is not invasive. It is the same information you would give that is located on your vaccine card or passport. We recommend that you carry several hard copies of the required documentation if your phone becomes non-functional or stolen while abroad. It is also a good idea to leave a copy with a friend or family member at home. The App streamlines the whole process and eliminates the need for documents in other languages to be translated. Passengers can now use the smartphone App to show they've been vaccinated, tested negative, or recovered from the virus before they board.

The European Medicine Agency, four vaccines approved:

• Comirnaty (BioNTech, Pfizer)
• Moderna
• Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, Oxford)
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)​

Tips:

• Check with your destination country's website for specific entry requirements prior to making travel plans.
• Make hard copies of all COVID related documents- vaccine, proof of negative test and documentation of prior illness.
• Leave a set of documents. at home with a family member of friend.
• Purchase travel insurance incase your trip is interrupted due to COVID (illness or border closures).
• Keep informed on COVID variants and how they have affected your destination and country of origin.
• Arrive at airport or train terminals and hour earlier than recommended.
• Make sure your connecting flight times allow for additional procedures- like presenting documents or App verifications.
• Stay flexible.
• Limited your travel between EU countries this summer. These regulation and procedures are new and may cause delays or cancellations.

To Do Before Traveling:

• Visit the EU Green Pass site prior to enrolling.
• Download the App on Google Play

Key features of the certificate:

• Digital and/or paper format
•  QR code
• free of charge
• in national language and English
• safe and secure
• valid in all EU countries

We look forward to sending our clients back to Europe this summer and beyond. But each passenger must be aware of the risks and benefits of traveling in this new uncharted post COVID environment. Visit Couture Trips for the latest in travel and schedule a complimentary consultation to get started on planning your next great escape.

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