The European Exhibition Industry Alliance has welcomed the EU’s plans for a Digital Green Certificate.
The Digital Green Certificate would operate like a ‘vaccine passport’, making it clear which passengers have been vaccinated and facilitating safe, free movement inside the EU.
The passport would be available free of charge in a digital or paper format, using a QR code to authenticate a valid negative Covid test. It will be recognised across the EU.
The EEIA highlighted that business events needed clear communication on issues of travel, as its lead time for reopening shows would be around 4-6 months. It stated that “the industry is ready to re-open business events under strict and proven health and safety conditions.”
“Attending trade fairs and professional events must be recognised as essential travel within the EU"
EEIA Secretary General Barbara Weizsäcker commented: “The EEIA welcomes the European Commission’s legislative proposal to create a Digital Green Certificate to resume safe travel in the EU. We now call upon the European Parliament and the Member States to ensure its quick approval and its swift technical implementation. We also expect that it will be interoperable with other international systems to facilitate travel on a global scale.
“Attending trade fairs and professional events must be recognised as essential travel within the EU as well as for inbound international travel by all Member States. We expect that unilateral prohibitive restrictions such as travel bans or quarantines be not applicable to travel for business reasons any more if travellers can prove vaccination, negative test or recovery from Covid-19.”
