The green certificate and further 1st July relaxations

1st July saw the introduction of the green certificate and a further easing of Covid restrictions in Romania.

Roxana Vasile, 01.07.2021, 14:00

The digital Covid certificate proving that its holder
is vaccinated, has recovered from the infection or has tested negative for the
virus came into effect in the European Union on 1st July. During the pandemic, travelling has been more
complicated, requiring lots of forms, tests and vaccination certificates issued
in different languages, which customs officials were not always able to
understand. The new digital certificate, which is identical across the Union,
is intended to facilitate access to member states. The QR coded document can be
printed on paper or downloaded on mobile phones and read by customs officials via
special scanners.

In Romania, the Special Telecommunications Service has
created a secure online platform providing access to the Covid certificate, at certificat-covid.gov.ro.
Users must first type in a valid email address, which allows them to obtain the
certificates for all family members. The personal numerical code then also
needs to be typed in, as well as the data in the ID card used when the person
in question got their vaccine, obtained proof of recovery from the infection or
a negative Covid test result. The system also requires other data such as the
county where the vaccine was administered and the dates of the first and second
doses. Parental consent is required in the case of children under the age of
14.

Very importantly, the Special Telecommunications
Service recommends obtaining the certificate at least five days before
travelling abroad for those who are fully vaccinated and at least 12 or 48
hours before for persons who have taken a rapid test or PCR. A hotline will also be
available for those who wish to get hold of the certificate but are not very
comfortable using the digital platform. In the case of persons with a negative
Covid test result, the certificate is valid 24 hours for rapid antigen tests
and 72 hours for PCR tests. In the case of persons who have recovered from the
infection, the certificate is valid 180 days of the date of the first positive
test result. Finally, the certificate will expire in July next year for those
who are fully vaccinated.

1st July traditionally marks the start of
the summer holidays, an opportunity for the Romanian authorities to announce
the lifting of further restrictions, with a beneficial impact for the tourist
sector. More persons will be allowed to attend private events; clubs,
restaurants and cafes can now stay open until 2 am, more spectators will be
able to attend sports events, and hotels and guesthouses can function at full
capacity. Some performances can even be held with 2,500 spectators or more,
provided a 2m physical distance is respected. (CM)