The decision by the European Commission to recognize Taiwan’s digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates is sincerely appreciated and welcomed by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dec. 21.
As per the measures announced earlier the same day, certificates issued under the Taiwan Digital COVID-19 Certificate System will be connected to the EU’s system. The EU Digital COVID certificates for EU passport holders traveling to Taiwan are similarly accepted, according to the MOFA.
Effective Dec. 22, individuals inoculated with a vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency, as well as issued with requisite digital certificates, will be allowed to enter and move freely in the EU. Such travelers will not be required to produce a negative polymerase chain reaction test taken 72 hours prior to boarding flights to the EU or undergo quarantine upon arrival, the ministry said.
Taiwan is the fourth country in Asia after Israel, New Zealand and Singapore to be added to the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate system since it entered into force July 1.
This positive development is further recognition of the government’s success in managing the pandemic, the MOFA said, adding that it also shows that the country’s system is interoperable with the trust framework established by the EU.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “We welcome the @EU_Commission’s decision recognizing #COVID19 certificates issued by #Taiwan as equivalent to the #EU Digital COVID Certificate. The move is a resounding vote of confidence in the country’s #Coronavirus-combating efforts.” (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw