Every Dutch person should be entitled to a free coronavirus test before their summer vacation, according to a majority of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, to make travel in the region easier, the European Union is working on a standardised digital COVID-19 certificate, reports RTL Nieuws.
In the admirably egalitarian style of the Dutch, a motion for free coronavirus tests for travel has been signed by a majority in the House of Representatives. They want to ensure that summer holidays are available for everyone — not just for people with money. D66 MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma says that expensive coronavirus tests “create a division in society and we do not want that.”
Digital COVID-19 pass on the way
The European Union is developing a digital COVID-19 pass which will make travelling in the region easier from the summer. The goal is that from June 21 onwards, anyone who wants to travel within the EU will be able to demonstrate with a QR code that they have been vaccinated, tested negative, or have antibodies from having had coronavirus in the past.
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The European Parliament is currently negotiating exactly how travel with the pass will work. There are still practical questions about whether people who have been vaccinated with Russian and Chinese vaccines will also be able to use the digital pass, as these vaccines have not yet been approved in Europe.
The EU Parliament is pushing for people who have not yet been vaccinated to be tested free of charge before travel, but it is up to the countries themselves to decide on this.
The EU Parliament is pushing that those who have not yet been vaccinated can be tested free of charge. However, this is decided on a country level.
When will the digital COVID-19 pass come into effect?
The Netherlands is on track to start using the digital pass by June 21, just in time for the summer holidays ☀️. However, other countries may still need more time to implement the measure.
Which European country will you be exploring this summer? Tell us in the comments below!
Would only dutch nationals be entitled to a free corona test for travel? What about internationals living in the Netherlands?
Hello.
Are the tests going to be free only for Dutch people or also EU citizens that live in the Netherlands, for example, students?