As Europe begins to reopen its borders for tourists, the Greek government on Friday unveiled a digital health certificate as the country seeks to welcome tourists after over a year of pandemic downturn.

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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the new certificate will be open to all EU citizens from July 1. &nbsp;

The certificate was approved by the European Parliament and EU members which contains a QR code indicating the person has been vaccinated and tested negative for the virus.

The new passport is aimed at preventing EU states from imposing additional travel restrictions.

"The code for the verification application has been provided to us by the EU and we have customized for every member state so we have the Greek application," digital governance minister Pierrakakis said.

"By pressing the QR scanner, and this is not a classical QR, this is a cryptographic QR you can only read it with the application," the digital governance minister added.

Several European countries including France and Spain are set to test the system.

Greece had lifted quarantine rules for non-EU visitors who have been vaccinated or test negative for coronavirus on May 14 as it prepared to boost its economy even as authorities promised to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-approves-single-shot-johnson-johnson-coronavirus-vaccine-388043">vaccinate</a> all citizens by end July in order to ensure safety for tourists.

"The EU digital Covid certificate is nothing more than a fast travel aid. It will make travel much easier, especially during the summer, particularly, again, let me repeat how important this is for us," PM Mitsotakis said.

Greece was hit badly due to the virus with its tourist sector which contributes greatly to its GDP being hit with just 4 billion euros in revenues in 2020 down from 18 billion euros in 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As Europe begins to reopen its borders for tourists, the Greek government on Friday unveiled a digital health certificate as the country seeks to welcome tourists after over a year of pandemic downturn.

As Europe begins to reopen its borders for tourists, the Greek government on Friday unveiled a digital health certificate as the country seeks to welcome tourists after over a year of pandemic downturn. Watch: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the new certificate will be open to all EU citizens from July 1. The certificate was approved by the European Parliament and EU members which contains a QR code indicating the person has been vaccinated and tested negative for the virus. The new passport is aimed at preventing EU states from imposing additional travel restrictions. "The code for the verification application has been provided to us by the EU and we have customized for every member state so we have the Greek application," digital governance minister Pierrakakis said. "By pressing the QR scanner, and this is not a classical QR, this is a cryptographic QR you can only read it with the application," the digital governance minister added. Several European countries including France and Spain are set to test the system. Greece had lifted quarantine rules for non-EU visitors who have been vaccinated or test negative for coronavirus on May 14 as it prepared to boost its economy even as authorities promised to vaccinate all citizens by end July in order to ensure safety for tourists. "The EU digital Covid certificate is nothing more than a fast travel aid. It will make travel much easier, especially during the summer, particularly, again, let me repeat how important this is for us," PM Mitsotakis said. Greece was hit badly due to the virus with its tourist sector which contributes greatly to its GDP being hit with just 4 billion euros in revenues in 2020 down from 18 billion euros in 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece unveils digital certificate as Europe seeks to welcome tourists

A report has claimed that millions of Britons could be given <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid </a>passports by May 17 to allow them to take holidays to foreign countries and avoid quarantine on their arrival at their destinations.&nbsp;

These passports are likely to be different from domestic Covid certificates issued by the UK government, the report by Guardian claimed.&nbsp;

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Sources said the documents are still under works and should be available before international travel restrictions are lifted next month.&nbsp;

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary said that the passports "will, of course, be a part of international travel".

He hoped that these should not be seen as "controversial," but insisted on the need for a cautious reopening amid the threat of virus strains.&nbsp;

These documents would be for nations that seek proof of vaccination, a Department of Transport insider said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/will-you-need-a-vaccine-passport-in-california-378867">Will you need a vaccine passport in California?</a>

Another source said that the Foreign Office was quietly consulting other countries to check whether they would accept such passports shown through an NHS app that is being developed.&nbsp;

Earlier, Israel is leading the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">vaccination </a>drive and has lifted several of its Covid restrictions, have issued a "green passport" system that gives access to certain places to people who have either vaccinated or recovered from the deadly virus.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization's (WHO) emergency committee on Monday expressed its opposition for international travellers being required to have proof of inoculation, partly on grounds that such measures would increase inequities.

A report has claimed that millions of Britons could be given Covid passports by May 17 to allow them to take holidays to foreign countries and avoid quarantine on their arrival at their destinations.

A report has claimed that millions of Britons could be given Covid passports by May 17 to allow them to take holidays to foreign countries and avoid quarantine on their arrival at their destinations. These passports are likely to be different from domestic Covid certificates issued by the UK government, the report by Guardian claimed. Watch | Sources said the documents are still under works and should be available before international travel restrictions are lifted next month. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary said that the passports "will, of course, be a part of international travel". He hoped that these should not be seen as "controversial," but insisted on the need for a cautious reopening amid the threat of virus strains. These documents would be for nations that seek proof of vaccination, a Department of Transport insider said. Also read | Will you need a vaccine passport in California? Another source said that the Foreign Office was quietly consulting other countries to check whether they would accept such passports shown through an NHS app that is being developed. Earlier, Israel is leading the vaccination drive and has lifted several of its Covid restrictions, have issued a "green passport" system that gives access to certain places to people who have either vaccinated or recovered from the deadly virus. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization's (WHO) emergency committee on Monday expressed its opposition for international travellers being required to have proof of inoculation, partly on grounds that such measures would increase inequities.

Millions in UK could get Covid passports soon: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-says-discussing-possible-air-travel-bubble-with-australia-370347">Singapore</a> said on Monday that it will accept mobile travel pass containing digital certificates for coronavirus tests and vaccines becoming one of the first nations to adopt the initiative.

Singapore Airlines had earlier begun tracking the COVID-19 digital travel pass developed by aviation's industry body. The app was developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The authorities will begin accepting visitors who use the app from next month.

The national carrier had announced earlier that it would offer travellers heading from the country to London between March 15 and 28 to participate in the pilot project.

"Our partnership with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-pandemic-could-last-4-to-5-years-singapore-minister-359440">Singapore Airlines</a> for the first full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass will help get the world flying again,"&nbsp;Nick Careen the IATA official had said.

The travellers can now get clearance to fly from and enter Singapore by showing the app.&nbsp;

Other airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates have been testing the app. The airlines' industry has been of the hardest hit sector due to the virus with estimated losses of $510 billion in 2020 as the pandemic spread throughout the world stopping air travel.

IATA director general Willie Walsh while unveiling the plan said: "The success of our joint efforts will make IATA's partnership with the government of Singapore a model for others to follow."

Travellers currently need to take pre-departure coronavirus swab tests within 72 hours of their departure to travel to Singapore which they are expected to display on arrival.

Singapore said on Monday that it will accept mobile travel pass containing digital certificates for coronavirus tests and vaccines becoming one of the first nations to adopt the initiative.

Singapore said on Monday that it will accept mobile travel pass containing digital certificates for coronavirus tests and vaccines becoming one of the first nations to adopt the initiative. Singapore Airlines had earlier begun tracking the COVID-19 digital travel pass developed by aviation's industry body. The app was developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The authorities will begin accepting visitors who use the app from next month. The national carrier had announced earlier that it would offer travellers heading from the country to London between March 15 and 28 to participate in the pilot project. "Our partnership with Singapore Airlines for the first full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass will help get the world flying again," Nick Careen the IATA official had said. The travellers can now get clearance to fly from and enter Singapore by showing the app. Other airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates have been testing the app. The airlines' industry has been of the hardest hit sector due to the virus with estimated losses of $510 billion in 2020 as the pandemic spread throughout the world stopping air travel. IATA director general Willie Walsh while unveiling the plan said: "The success of our joint efforts will make IATA's partnership with the government of Singapore a model for others to follow." Travellers currently need to take pre-departure coronavirus swab tests within 72 hours of their departure to travel to Singapore which they are expected to display on arrival.

Now, Singapore set to accept coronavirus digital passport

The coronavirus pandemic has led to new initiatives taken by many airlines for maintaining the safety of the passengers and in a first Singapore Airlines will soon start issuing digital health cards for those who are safe from Covid-19.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Wednesday said that it has started a new digital health verification process, which will be the first-ever based on the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Travel Pass framework.&nbsp;

It said that this will allow customers to "securely store and present information related to Covid-19 tests, as well as their vaccination status in the future".

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/iata-set-to-rollout-covid-19-passport-to-support-safe-reopening-of-borders-345099">IATA set to rollout 'COVID-19 passport' to support 'safe reopening of borders'</a>

The customers who undergo coronavirus tests at selected clinics in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur would be provided with "digital or paper health certificates with a QR code".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-to-issue-e-passports-from-next-year-report-320184">Indian govt to issue e-passports from next year: Report</a>

The airlines further said that Singapore airport officials would verify the authenticity of these certificated through a mobile app to ensure that the incoming passenger meets the country's entry requirements.

Initially, the service will be offered to passengers travelling from Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore from December 23, If it proves successful, the service will be extended to other cities as well, the airlines said.&nbsp;

SIA also said that it plans to integrate the Travel Pass framework entirely into SingaporeAir mobile app from around mid-2021.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The coronavirus pandemic has led to new initiatives taken by many airlines for maintaining the safety of the passengers and in a first Singapore Airlines will soon start issuing digital health cards for those who are safe from Covid-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to new initiatives taken by many airlines for maintaining the safety of the passengers and in a first Singapore Airlines will soon start issuing digital health cards for those who are safe from Covid-19. Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Wednesday said that it has started a new digital health verification process, which will be the first-ever based on the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Travel Pass framework. It said that this will allow customers to "securely store and present information related to Covid-19 tests, as well as their vaccination status in the future". Also read | IATA set to rollout 'COVID-19 passport' to support 'safe reopening of borders' The customers who undergo coronavirus tests at selected clinics in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur would be provided with "digital or paper health certificates with a QR code". Also read | Indian govt to issue e-passports from next year: Report The airlines further said that Singapore airport officials would verify the authenticity of these certificated through a mobile app to ensure that the incoming passenger meets the country's entry requirements. Initially, the service will be offered to passengers travelling from Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore from December 23, If it proves successful, the service will be extended to other cities as well, the airlines said. SIA also said that it plans to integrate the Travel Pass framework entirely into SingaporeAir mobile app from around mid-2021.

Singapore Airlines announces launch of 'Covid-19 passports' for a safer travel