Air Malta has welcomed the European Commission’s proposal for a “digital green certificate” that would allow EU citizens who have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from COVID to travel more freely in the EU.

Responding to the proposals, Air Malta Chairman David G Curmi commented, “Air Malta welcomes the EU Commission’s proposals for the Digital Green Certificate”.

Furthermore, he was pleased “this certificate offers various benefits in that travellers, who have been vaccinated, can be exempt from travel restrictions that might be applicable, and recognises [the airline’s] belief that vaccinations should not be mandatory in order to travel”.

The proposed certificate is aimed to facilitate the safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID pandemic and support the restart of travel through the issuance of common, inter-operable and mutually recognised certificates, according to the airline.

“The Digital Green certificate will be available, free of charge, in digital or paper format and will offer proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID, received a negative test result, or recovered from the virus,” it continued.

The Commission pledged to build a gateway to ensure all certificates can be verified across the EU, and support Member States in the technical implementation of certificates.

Looking to the future, Mr Curmi said, “Europe needs a clear path out of this pandemic which has caused so much hardship to the travel industry especially for States like Malta that depend heavily on tourism.”

“We need common solutions, effective and safe measures for all travellers and international procedures which are fully coordinated and aligned,” he added.