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NewsAre we there yet? Covid Certificates
Are we there yet? Covid Certificates

Are we there yet? Covid Certificates

Last updated by Oliver Tattan on

On July 1st, the European Union launched the EU Digital COVID Certificate to re-open travel within the EU. All member states participated, even those states with high vaccine hesitancy rates like Romania, who have just sold us 1 million surplus vaccines. All 27 member States that is, except Ireland. We are delaying our launch until July 19. Ryanair has called on the Government to explain why Ireland is “Paddy Last” to issue Digital COVID Certificates.

Any EU citizen can get a Certificate if they have either had Covid, had a negative PCR test or have been fully vaccinated. With the Certificate - which will appear as a QR code on your smartphone - holders will be free to travel around the EU without having to quarantine, isolate or restrict their movements. The fact that we are not included means we have to continue to put any holiday or travel plans on hold, but also means that we cannot properly welcome European tourists or business travellers to Ireland.

China has used a type of Digital Covid certificate since the beginning of the pandemic. A QR code on a Chinese citizen’s phone indicated if they were covid free and was scanned to allow access to the workplace, public transport and public buildings. This has allowed Chinese citizens a lot of freedoms to go about their business and avoid the more indiscriminate blanket lockdowns we experienced in Ireland.

On the other hand, the US has not implemented any type of national certificate or passport based on covid status, preferring to just vaccinate as many people as possible and allowing the hesitant the same freedoms as the vaccinated. However, US citizens travelling abroad are still being asked to prove they have been vaccinated, but it is potentially more difficult to safely and privately prove their vaccination status without an official Government Certificate.

The UK, has of course made up it’s own “world beating” system. The UK National Health Service is offering English citizens who still want to travel a PDF as proof of vaccination - in the event that the associated barcode may not be readable at the travel destination.

What do you think? Are Covid Certificates intrusive or freedom enhancing? Are they a sign of reduced civil liberties or efficient law and order? How will you use yours? Share your thoughts below:

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Someone
Someone from D commented:

Covid certificates may seem like a good idea on the surface - but it is the most dangerous vehicle towards total control over humankind. Once introduced, there is little hope to keep it under meaningful democratic control. Remember the past 1.5 years behind us? Having spent my formative years in the communist/socialist Eastern Europe block, it is very sad for me to see where we are heading... 

Someone
Someone from D commented:

Disgraceful attack on civil liberties and personal freedoms. Unlawful unconstitutional unnecessary.,welcome to China 

Michael
Michael from WW commented:

I think that the covid-19 vaccination certificate is a great idea but I don't have much faith in anything that is been approved by either Donnelly of Vararaka as a way forward. Both to me have big mouth and love to hear themselves talk. I don't want to Ireland opening up like the UK. I think that their method of Re-opening their economy is fraught with serious danger. Deaths don't seem to have any consequence for the Tory party. Their attitude seems to be open up and to hell with those who die. At least our medical people are more keen on an open slowly method. I think that this is the best way forward. 

ray
ray from C commented:

authentic certs are absolutely essential for those who intend mixing with the rest of mankind 

ray
ray from C commented:

authentic certs are absolutely essential for those who intend mixing with the rest of mankind 

Anthony
Anthony from C replied to ray:

Rubbish, I am from a family of 11. and 30 grandchildren. Some of us have taken the vaccine and some have not - their choice. Freedom to assess the situation themselves and take the risks either way by taking the vaccine which may hold risks or chancing getting the virus which may also or may not have risks. Their choice as adults to make the decision. I only took it as I am in contact with people who have cancer and dont want to put them at risk. I will not alienate any of my family that choose to get the vaccine or not get it. We are all a family and we will stay that way. No to Vaccine Passports. We are not children. We are adults capable of making our own choices. 

Someone
Someone from C commented:

An absolute necessity. Public health has to take precedence over civil liberties 

Darren
Darren from D commented:

"Public health"? We're talking about a "virus" with a 99.7% recovery rate WITHOUT medical intervention and, even if medical intervention is required, there are already cheap, effective drugs available like Ivermectin which has been proven to work. These so-called "digital certificates" are a gross infringement on civil liberties and a person's right to privacy. 

Someone
Someone from SO replied to Darren:

Agree 100% with you Darren 

Sean
Sean from RN commented:

They are the thin edge of a societal control wedge. 

Someone
Someone from KY commented:

Covid certificates is bad option for Citizen of EU and all world. We are not animals or dog that we nered chip. If we dont want vacine that my choise. It is all about money to sell medical products and make profit 

ray
ray from C commented:

selfish attitude , stay in isolation and away from humans , responsible people should avoid your company 

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