Wanted – a Covid passport to travel
with the aviation and hotel sectors. Heathrow airport is introducing a levy styled Airport Cost Recovery Charge, due to be imposed to recoup the cost of operating and maintaining the Covid-19 safety infrastructure. The reality of losses from tourism suffered by countries such as Cyprus, Malta, Spain and Greece is worrying since these countries had to resort to massive debt mountains to cope with the drop in revenue.
Last week, Denmark announced new steps in its Covid strategy to reopen society, with the spread of the virus deemed under control and its use of a "corona pass" certificate. Cinemas and theatres had already been allowed to reopen and gyms and fitness centres have now been added to the list. Bars, cafes and restaurants, which have already reopened, will no longer require reservations. This comes with a proviso that like restaurants and hairdressers, all patrons in Denmark must present a "corona pass" certificate confirming they have either tested negative in the past 72 hours, been vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid-19. It is an interesting fact, that where it concerns European Football Championships in Denmark, government will allow 16,000 fans to attend each match. The famous Roskilde music festival, which usually draws crowds of over 130,000 spectators, had to be cancelled as the permit was issued for only 2000. Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup argues that even though the epidemiological situation in Denmark with a population of 5.8 million is stable, he notes that many other countries are in the midst of a third wave and new closures, which Denmark wants to be careful to avoid. The Scandinavian country recently went into a partial lockdown with the closure of schools and all non-essential businesses.
In conclusion, one hopes that with effect from 1 June, our ports will welcome the first wave of tourists using an authentic travel certificate, either digital or on paper. One hopes the system will enable anyone vaccinated against Covid, or who has tested negative, or recently recovered from the virus, to travel easily across all 27 member states.
George M. Mangion is a partner in PKFMalta – an audit and
business advisory firm