To ensure there is no cutoff point, the Commission has called on the European Parliament and the European Council to “adopt the proposal swiftly.”

The commission justified the extension in a press-release stating, “the Covid-19 virus continues to be prevalent in Europe and at this stage it is not possible to determine the impact of a possible increase in infections in the second half of 2022 or of the emergence of new variants.”

Extending the regulation will force citizens to continue using their EU Digital Covid Certificate when travelling in the EU.

The executive arm of the union also proposes the following amendments:

·       To include high-quality laboratory-based antigen tests among the types of tests for which a test certificate can be issued.

·       To ensure that vaccination certificates contain the correct overall number of doses administered in any member state

·      To provide that certificates may be issued to persons participating in clinical trials for vaccines against covid-19

The last measure appears controversial. For one, there can be no guarantee or scientific basis that the drugs under clinical trials function properly for the purpose of travel. However, the commission defends its amendment and says, “this measure aims to encourage the continued development and study of vaccines against covid-19.”

The commission also issued a reminder that domestic use of EU Digital Covid Certificates remains a matter for member states to decide. Luxembourg is due to review its covid restrictions by 28 February.

Denmark scrapped all domestic curbs on freedoms related to the virus on 1 February.

during the covid-19 pandemic and established a binding acceptance period of 9 months on its vaccination certificates for the purposes of intra-EU travel.