On the 2nd of July, Michael Collins, M.D. of TravelMedia.ie, flew from Vienna to Dublin using the new EU Digital Covid Certificate, documenting his experience – video below.
The EU Digital Covid Certificate facilitates safe, free movement of Europe’s citizens without the need for testing or quarantine.
EU Digital Covid Certificate (EU DCC), was officially implemented on Thursday, July 1st, in all EU nations, except Ireland. Ireland is waiting to adopt the EU Digital Covid Certificate until July 19th, or later.
Pictured: The EU Digital Covid Certificate. It has a QR code the top to speed up status verification and to project against falsification.
The certificate can be either paper or digital in format and can be saved in an app or on a smart phone.
Being partially vaccinated, Michael Collins was required to present a negative PCR result to get the EU DCC.
To obtain the EU Digital Covid Certificate, passengers must present one of the following:
- a medical cert to prove you have recovered from COVID-19
- proof that you are fully vaccinated
- a negative PCR test result
Ireland is the only country in Europe not implementing the certificate from July 1st. Europe started working on this project back in November 2020. Ireland has had months to get ready for this date.
Ireland, which already has the most restrictive travel protocols in Europe, has delayed implementation of the Digital Covid Certificate until July 19th. There are indications from government the July 19th date will be missed and implementation delayed again, leaving Ireland even further behind its European neighbours.
Even though Ireland won’t introduce the certificate until July 19th, from July 1st, the EU DCC is accepted for inbound travel to Ireland.
When Michael Collins landed in Dublin the QR code on his certificate was not scanned. The certificate was manually read and he was still required to complete a Passenger Locator Form, quarantine at home and take another PCR test on day 5.
It is great to see Europe working as one to get the Digital Covid Certificate up and running. It is a real pity Ireland has chosen not to fully participate.
ENDS
Media Contacts
Michael Collins
+353 86 858 3585
About TravelMedia.ie
TravelMedia.is a full service public relations, marketing, events, communications, and travel trade representation company, founded in 2006, and managed by Michael Collins.
TravelMedia.ie is one of Europe’s leading travel media companies – specialising in PR, events, media buying, strategic advice, industry consultancy, digital communications, and social media within the travel industry for both trade and consumer – delivering measurable results for our clients.
Travel Trade Representation (TTR), TravelMedia.ie’s sister company, are specialists in offering representation services to international clients servicing the Irish travel and tourism market. TTR’s core representation activities include national group road shows, bespoke client road shows and events, agent training, trade relations / introductions, and trade marketing and advertising.