The UAE has been connected to the EU’s Covid digital certificate system, making it easier for vaccinated residents to travel in the Emirates.

The move means people vaccinated in the UAE will be able to use the Al Hosn app in the same way the EU Digital Pass has been used since its introduction over the summer.

The EU’s Covid digital certificate – the world’s largest vaccine passport program – went into effect in July, allowing holders traveling within the EU to prove, with a QR code, that they are fully vaccinated or that they have recovered from the coronavirus. It can also be used as a roof for a recent negative Covid test

Vaccine certificates issued in the United Arab Emirates are already recognized in the EU in printed form.

The major change with the move is that the Al Hosn app will soon be updated with a new EU pass – similar to Dubai’s Expo 2020 pass – which visitors to the 27-member block will be able to use to show proof of vaccination at the checkpoint. borders. in each Member State.

The Al Hosn app, which can be used anywhere in the Emirates, is the only one included in the deal.

Many countries in the EU require proof of vaccination to enter public places like restaurants, shops and gyms.

While not covered by this agreement, it is understood that visitors will be able to use the EU Pass from the Al Hosn app as proof. However, this may vary from country to country.

Tourist recovery

The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said the UAE has also agreed to accept the EU’s Covid digital certificate for EU nationals traveling to the Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates is one of 28 non-EU countries (and territories) to join the EU’s Covid digital certificate system. Lebanon, Morocco and Israel are also included.

“Fifty-five countries and territories on five continents have joined the system to date, with more than 750 million certificates issued,” said Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice.

“Even though we are having difficulty with the Covid-19 variants, we need the certificate; it has served in the past and will continue to serve in the future to help people travel safely.

Covid certificates have made it possible to travel within the EU.

A UN report said the EU vaccine passport and vaccine administration helped tourism recover faster in the bloc in the third quarter of this year than in other parts of the world.

“The increase in demand has been driven by increased confidence from travelers amid rapid progress in immunization and the easing of entry restrictions at many destinations,” the report said.

“In Europe, the EU’s Covid digital certificate has helped facilitate free movement within the European Union, unleashing strong pent-up demand after many months of restricted travel.”

Last month, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides announced new travel rules that focus on the Covid-19 status of travelers, rather than the country from which they have traveled.

This meant that EU countries could adjust their quarantine policies to focus on those who did not have a valid EU Covid-19 digital certificate.

“We must avoid fragmentation,” she told the European Parliament, as she planned the measures.

Updated: December 12, 2021, 13:17