Denmark is working on a digital scheme that would let its holders enjoy a concert, a trip abroad or a dinner in a restaurant. According to French news outlet Le Monde, this project of “Corona pass” in Denmark will not only be aimed at those who have been vaccinated but also to those whose immune system has developed antibodies, as well as individuals who have tested negative.
Pending the launch of this immune permit in three to four months, Denmark will issue a certificate at the end of February to people who have received the two doses of Covid-19 vaccine. The document will offer Danish citizens the possibility to travel for work without having to submit to health constraints such as repeated tests or quarantine.
As vaccination campaigns are rolled out, the question of passports and other health certificates is becoming more and more pressing. One of the main reasons behind the debate is to ease as soon as possible the health restrictions that weigh heavily on the economy, especially the tourism sector.
The Seychelles recently announced that vaccinated people could stay in the archipelago without having to go into quarantine. Mauritius is also considering opening its borders to people who have received the vaccine. For its part, the European Commission is debating the idea of a vaccine passport.
At the moment, however, there is no consensus on the idea within the EU. “There is not a state that has the same policy, some want a vaccine to enter, others a positive serology, others want two PCR tests. We shouldn’t fight for the vaccine passport because no one will ever agree, even in the European Union,” said Jean-François Rial, CEO of tour operator Voyageurs du Monde.
Other stakeholders in travel industry advocate for a health certificate concept, similar to the one developed by Denmark, an electronic document in which one would have all the health information about you: PCR tests, serology, vaccines, and not necessarily only about Covid-19.
One of Denmark’s neighbors, Sweden, became the latest country in Europe to demand evidence of a negative coronavirus test for all travelers entering the country taken within the last 48 hours prior to their arrival. Sweden had kept its borders relatively open compared to Norway and Denmark, the new coronavirus mutations have prompted the government to introduce stricter measures to stop the spread of the variants.
In southern Europe, Spain has experienced one of its worst months of the pandemic in January. With 900,000 new infections recorded, the country battles a third wave of the virus, according to officials. More than 60,000 people have died in the country since the pandemic began in early 2020.
