Portugal to start issuing digital Covid-19 certificates from this week

• 15 June, 21

The official signing of regulations covering these documents – also dubbed ‘Covid passports’ – has been hailed by prime minister António Costa as “a great step towards a safe recovery” for the bloc in general, and for the Portuguese economy in particular.

“Now we have the opportunity to travel in freedom and security”, he said at a ceremony today held in the European parliament in the presence of its president David Sassoli and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Mr Costa stressed these certificates will in no way substitute sanitary rules already in place (ie the wearing of masks, frequent hand sanitisation and physical distancing) “because we need to continue to fight this pandemic”.

Officially, the requirement for people to carry Digital Certificates when travelling won’t come into effect before July 1. Thus there is a two-week period now for anyone planning a trip to request one.

It will prove one (possibly two) of three situations: a vaccination, a negative test and/ or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Explain reports, “it is a document that will facilitate the free circulation of EU citizens in a safe way during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Cre:Protugalresident