Greece ready to go with EU Digital Covid Certificate, PM says at presentation

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European Council President Charles Michel and EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas – in Athens for celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Greece’s accession to the bloc – also hailed the launch of the new system.

Below is a video of the full presentation, which was conducted in English, and included a detailed explanation of how it works by Digital Governance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

Greece Ready to Unveil its Digital ‘Green Pass’ for Travel

Greek Digital Governance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis on Friday will unveil Greece’s digital green certificate that will enable restriction-free movement among travelers this summer, the government’s spokesperson, Aristotelia Peloni, said today during a media briefing.

The presentation will be attended by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the President of the European Council Charles Michel, and the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas.

Proposed by the European Commission in March and based on an idea of the Greek PM, the digital green certificate scheme aims to make travelling within the European Union easier as it will be a proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19, has a negative test result or has recovered from the virus.

While the EU will be ready to roll out the certificate at the end of June, the Greek government has said it will be ready to grant the certificates to its residents from next week after successfully passing simulation tests. Greece is one of 17 EU countries to have participated in the tests and is now considered “technically ready” to implement the certificate system.

The official name of the digital green certificate, also referred to as a “green pass”, will be the EU Digital COVID Certificate, as decided by EU officials.

“Greece is ready to present the certificate and its official introduction at European level is expected in July,” Peloni told journalists.

She noted that the certificate will be based on a single database and reminded that it will show if and when the holder:
has been vaccinated,
has recovered from the virus,
has undergone a negative PCR test or antigen test.

“It will act as a express lane for all Europeans, facilitate border controls and consequently travelers,” she said.

Moreover, Peloni reminded that live cultural events and shows in outdoor areas (only with seated guests) will resume operation on Friday.

“The main concern of the government at this stage is to strengthen the tourist flow to our country,” she said, noting that all necessary measures have already been taken to make the country a safe tourist destination and targeted actions are being developed to attract as many visitors as possible.